Everton are reportedly eyeing a move for Brighton midfielder Matt O’Riley this summer, but a deal could have been done a year ago.
After years of struggling in the transfer market, the Toffees are now set to be released from the clutches of PSR and are in for a big summer.
It could not have come at a better time for Everton, who are officially moving into the Hill Dickinson Stadium from the 2025/26 season. The Friedkin group will no doubt be keen to bring some big names to the new stadium to excite fans.
On Sunday, it was revealed that Everton are interested in signing Matt O’Riley, with the midfielder’s future on the South Coast looking fairly uncertain. The 24-year-old endured a slow first season with Brighton, where he failed to play as much as he did at Celtic in the 2023/24 campaign.
While Everton fans are excited at the prospect of signing O’Riley, it is a deal that could have been done a year ago.
Upon signing for Brighton, O’Riley shared why he opted to join the Seagulls in 2024 instead of Everton.
Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images
Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images
Matt O’Riley wants honesty if he is to join Everton from Brighton
Referred to as ‘world-class‘ by Ange Postecoglou, O’Riley has the potential to be a superstar at Everton. Moyes will recognise his potential and will be well aware of what he needs to do to get the best out of him.
If talks are to happen, Moyes has already been told by O’Riley himself what he must do to lure him to Merseyside.
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In an interview with Brighton’s club media upon signing, O’Riley shared why he chose to join Brighton, after being linked with a move to Everton in 2024 (National Scot).
“It got a little bit stressful the past couple of weeks if I’m being honest, because the talks were ongoing for a good couple of months, but I’m just really happy to be here now,” O’Riley said in his first interview as a Brighton player.
“I spoke to the manager as well and he did a really good job of selling the club and we had a really nice chat. He told me where I would fit in in terms of the structure.
“I spoke to a lot of people in regards to the whole feel about the place and the people. I got the impression that everybody was really, really nice and that’s something I’d like to be a part of.
“I liked his honesty. He didn’t just butter me up like he could have done because I was in a position where there were other clubs looking at me.
“He was just brutally honest in the sense of he can help me with a lot of things as well that I need to improve on.
“I liked the fact he didn’t just speak about the positive things because I’m someone that would like to improve a lot and coming to a place like this where everyone wants to improve is something that I was really looking forward to.”
Matt O’Riley’s only appearance against Everton amid transfer links
Everton want to sign a midfielder this summer to replace the outgoing Abdoulaye Doucoure, and they believe that O’Riley is the right person to replace the 32-year-old, who is leaving upon the expiry of their contract.
O’Riley never got to experience the Goodison Park atmosphere, but will be one of the first to play at the Hill Dickinson Stadium next season if he is to leave Brighton for Everton.
The 24-year-old missed a portion of the season after suffering an ankle injury on his debut for Brighton, meaning he missed the first meeting between the two clubs. However, O’Riley was a late substitute in the reverse fixture at the American Express Stadium, a game which Everton won 1-0.
With Moyes looking to strike a deal with Brighton for O’Riley, he must be well aware that the midfielder wants to hear things how they are if talks are to take place.