Exclusive: Matt O’Riley on the Move? Brighton Midfielder Attracts EPL and Celtic Interest

Brighton’s Matt O’Riley could be on his way out of the exit door at the Amex Stadium this summer, SportsBoom sources can reveal.

The out-of-favour midfielder has not played a game for the Seagulls since Valentine’s Day on 14th February.

And the 24-year-old former Celtic ace doesn’t look like getting back into the starting XI anytime soon with the Seagulls soaring in seventh position in the Premier League standings.

In fact the last time O’Riley started a game for Brighton was on the 4th January in a 1-1 home draw with Arsenal. However, he was hauled off at half-time in that fixture and has not started a game since in a worrying turns of events on the seaside coast.

O’Riley’s lack of action has alerted a number of other Premier League clubs to his availability, with former club Celtic also believed to be interested in taking the player back to Celtic Park if the deal was right.

Injury Issues

O’Riley left Celtic for a record £25million fee last summer, but injuries have also frustrated him since his move to East Sussex.

He has made 14 appearances this season, limping off injured in his first game of the season, a League Cup clash with Crawley.

And he didn’t return to Brighton’s team until early August when they stunned Manchester City with a 2-1 win at home. O’Riley had a big hand in one of the goals, albeit as a second half substitute.

It has been from the bench where O’Riley has spent the large majority of his season, frustrated with playing opportunities and just five starts from those 14 matches.

O’Riley’s growing frustrations were not helped by a knee injury in January which has blighted his comeback, especially in a team which is chasing a coveted Champions League place.

The Denmark international vowed to fight for a regular starting place in an exclusive interview with SportsBoom earlier this season, but the lure of regular football in the top-flight might just be too tempting to turn down.