Brighton & Hove Albion in talks to sign midfielder who is linked with Chelsea: Reports
Brighton & Hove Albion are allegedly hoping to lure Chelsea-linked midfielder Matt O'Riley away from Scottish giants Celtic this summer.
O'Riley, 23, has cemented himself as one of Celtic's best performers since arriving from EFL League Two team MK Dons for around £1.5 million in January 2022. The Fulham academy product has helped his club lift six trophies, including three back-to-back league titles.
A left-footed box-to-box midfielder, the Denmark international relished his best-ever season last time around. He scored 19 goals and laid out 18 assists in 49 matches across competitions for Celtic last season.
Now, according to Sky Sports, Brighton are currently in talks with Celtic over a deal for O'Riley. However, they are expected to face competition from a number of clubs in the transfer race to sign the midfielder.
O'Riley, whose Celtic contract is set to expire in June 2027, has allegedly attracted interest from Chelsea of late. He has been identified as a potential replacement for Conor Gallagher, who is thought to be close to completing a £34 million permanent move to Atletico Madrid.
Should the Chelsea target opt to join Brighton this summer, he could prove to be a stellar signing for them. He would likely fill the void left by Pascal Gross' departure and start most of the club's league games.
Chelsea slammed for recruitment strategy
Speaking to UK-based betting website Gambling Zone, ex-Chelsea star Emmanuel Petit hit out at his former club for their recent recruitment strategy. He elaborated:
"I look at the project, signing all these young players for huge money on incredibly long contracts and it doesn't make sense. The Americans have spent over a billion and what did they get? Some of these players have been given massive contracts without achieving anything in the game."
Opining on the Blues' decision to sell Conor Gallagher, Petit added:
"Then you look at the players they are selling. Gallagher was [their] best player last season and was practically the captain for most of it because Reece James was injured. He plays for the national team. He came through the academy and you're going to sell him for how much? £30 million? He's probably the best midfielder in the squad. I don’t understand the decisions being made at the club."
Gallagher, who captained his boyhood club 30 times last term, scored seven times and laid out nine assists in 50 total games for Chelsea.
Meanwhile, the Blues have spent over £96 million so far this summer.