Matt O’Riley could be about to land one of the biggest contracts of his career – and Celtic are set to benefit if the move goes through.
The former Hoops midfielder, who left Glasgow for Brighton in a £25m deal last summer, is firmly on Juventus’ radar ahead of the new season. Italian reports claim the Turin giants have already held positive talks with the 24-year-old’s camp, with a provisional agreement in place for a five-year deal worth around €3m (£2.5m) per season. [TuttoSport]
That’s serious money for the Denmark international, who endured a frustrating debut campaign in the Premier League. O’Riley struggled for consistent minutes at Brighton, with injuries playing their part in stopping him from hitting the heights he reached at Celtic.
Juventus’ interest in the towering midfielder isn’t new — their scouts have followed him since his Parkhead days — but last summer’s discussions fizzled out when Juve focused on other targets. This time, the Italian giants appear ready to push ahead.
Any deal, however, depends on Juve freeing up funds. Reports suggest they’ll need to move on at least two of Douglas Luiz, Weston McKennie, or Fabio Miretti to finance Brighton’s £25m+ asking price. The Seagulls are in no mood to offer discounts after just one season in England.
Celtic fans have extra reason to keep an eye on proceedings. When O’Riley left for Brighton, the club secured a sell-on clause — believed to be significant — meaning any sizeable profit on Brighton’s sale will see cash flow back into the Parkhead coffers.
A transfer to a European heavyweight like Juventus would be a major career step for O’Riley, and a welcome financial boost for Celtic. With Juve’s midfield overhaul in full swing, the next few weeks could prove decisive.
Tees for Tims