A host of Italian clubs are on alert despite the Premier League side remaining keen to keep the playmaker at the AMEX
16:49, 22 Jun 2025
(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
In-demand Matt O'Riley has reportedly told Brighton he would prefer to join Roma this summer if he leaves the club.
But that could leave Celtic's sell-on windfall at risk with the Serie A giants looking to avoid a major Financial Fair Play pitfall.
The Hoops have already seen the Parkhead coffers boosted this summer by a sell-on windfall after Jeremie Frimpong's move to Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen.
And the Scottish champions powerbrokers are on alert again amid reports that Napoli made a £25.6million (€30million) offer for the Danish international just 12 months on from his £25million Parkhead exit.
Celtic hold a 10 per cent sell-on clause in the deal that took the 24-year-old to the AMEX Stadium last season - but the Seagulls are said to be in no rush to sell with talks "ongoing" over a deal.
La Gazzetta dello Sport now claim Roma have already made contact with the midfielder’s entourage with O'Riley "eager" to join the club.
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However, I Giallorossi are said to be 'formulating" a loan offer with obligation to buy next summer - with Brighton demanding £30million for the playmaker.
It is noted that Roma are currently focussed on selling players to balance the books before the June 30 FFP deadline.
O'Riley is said to be willing to wait for a move to link up with Gian Piero Gasperini - who is a big fan of the player having previously attempted to bring him to Atalanta from Celtic.
O'Riley endured an injury-hampered debut campaign at the AMEX Stadium but showed flashes of his best form in the final weeks of the season.
But the man himself has bemoaned the fact he's been unable to play in his favoured position under head coach Fabian Hurzeler - with Georginio Rutter deployed in the playmaker role.
Celtic netted big on likes of Matt O'Riley and they've got assets in their squad on top of healthy balance sheet
Celtic netted big on likes of Matt O'Riley and they've got assets in their squad on top of healthy balance sheet
Speaking in his homeland, the Denmark international said: "I am not completely happy, and I am just giving my opinion.
“It makes it difficult to show off when you play a position you are not completely happy with. I can play better for the team if I play the number eight position, but I can play well in other positions.
"You can say it in a way that is not aggressive. If you are honest with another person, you don’t lose anything. The coach can always say he doesn’t agree."
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