Everton eye Brighton star Matt O'Riley
Everton eye Brighton star Matt O'Riley
Everton are reportedly keen on signing Brighton midfielder Matt O’Riley in the summer transfer window.
David Moyes is eyeing reinforcements ahead of the Toffees’ first season at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The Toffees finished 13th in the Premier League this past season, but will be eyeing a top-half finish in the 2025/26 campaign.
David Moyes
David Moyes wants midfield reinforcements. (Credit: Imago)
O’Riley now placed on the shortlist this summer
According to TEAMtalk (2 June), Everton are in the transfer market for new midfielders this summer.
They claim that Brighton’s O’Riley is one of their priorities as they’ve placed him on their transfer shortlist.
Along with the 24-year-old Denmark international, other options are likely to be considered as well by the Merseyside outfit.
O’Riley moved to the AmEx Stadium back in the summer of 2024 from Celtic, but battled some injury issues in his first season in the Premier League.
However, he still managed to play 21 league games and contributed offensively as well, scoring two goals and providing three assists.
Everton
Abdoulaye Doucoure’ exit has seen Everton linked with O’Riley. (Credit: Imago)
Moyes can surely get the best out of O’Riley at Everton
O’Riley’s potential signing could significantly bolster Everton’s midfield, bringing creativity, technical finesse, and goal-scoring ability to a squad needing revitalisation.
His record at Celtic – 27 goals and 35 assists in 124 appearances – demonstrates his flair for creating and finishing chances, while his 10 goals and 8 assists at MK Dons highlight his adaptability.
At Brighton, despite an injury-hit season, he showed glimpses of quality, like a crucial assist against Liverpool and a penalty against Tottenham.
O’Riley’s composure, vision, and ability to dictate play from central midfield would fill the void left by Abdoulaye Doucoure, offering a more polished, attack-minded presence.
To maximise the Danish midfielder’s impact, David Moyes should deploy him as a box-to-box number 8, leveraging his 1.89m frame for defensive contributions while encouraging forward runs to exploit his scoring instinct.
Regular starts in a defined role, unlike his inconsistent Brighton stint, would unlock his potential, aligning with Moyes’ structured system to drive Everton’s push up the Premier League table.