Matt O’Riley is reportedly at the centre of ‘intensifying negotiations’ between Brighton and Serie A club Roma.
The £26m former Celtic midfielder played out his debut campaign for Brighton last season in the Premier League, but it was disrupted by two injuries.
Additionally, O’Riley has admitted he isn’t entirely happy at Brighton because manager Fabian Hurzeler has been playing him out of position.
Roma were first credited with an interest in O’Riley, before Italian champions Napoli submitted a £25.6m transfer bid for the Danish international.
Now, it appears Roma are stepping up their efforts to land O’Riley this summer.
Matt O'Riley of Brighton dribbling with the ball during the Premier League match between Brighton and Southampton FC at Amex Stadium
Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
O’Riley to Roma transfer ‘negotiations intensify’
According to French journalist Sebastien Vidal, Roma are increasing their efforts to sign O’Riley with transfer negotiations ‘intensifying’ with Brighton.
🇫🇷 La Roma intensifie les négociations pour Matt O’Riley ! Le club italien veut lui offrir son poste préféré de numéro 8, mais Brighton reste réticent à vendre. Dossier chaud.
🇬🇧 Roma step up their efforts to sign Matt O’Riley! The Italian club want to offer him his ideal number…
— Sébastien Vidal (@SebEcrivainFoot) July 9, 2025
View Tweet
Roma are said to be keen on offering O’Riley regular game time as an No.8, something that he wasn’t getting enough of last season at the AMEX Stadium.
MORE CELTIC STORIES
However, Vidal states that Brighton are reluctant to sell O’Riley, who only signed a five-year deal with the Seasiders last August.
Adding to Vidal’s report is The Athletic. They say O’Riley is frustrated at being played out of position, but Brighton are not actively seeking a sale.
However, they will listen to transfer offers that they believe are suitable for O’Riley’s value.
Are Celtic due a sell-on fee if O’Riley is sold?
Celtic will be watching O’Riley’s situation this summer closely. That’s because we understand the Hoops inserted a 10% sell-on clause into his Brighton contract.
Napoli submitted a £25.6m bid for O’Riley and if that was to be accepted, Celtic would be due £2.56m of the transfer fee.
It is unclear whether Roma have lodged a bid or not yet, but you would think it would have to exceed the £26m they shelled out for him last summer.