Matt O’Riley put speculation over his future to one side as he calmly netted from the penalty spot in Brighton’s 1-1 draw with Fulham, kicking off the new Premier League season in dramatic fashion.
The former Celtic midfielder showed no sign of distraction despite ongoing transfer talks with Juventus. With the Seagulls awarded a second-half penalty at the Amex, O’Riley stepped up with confidence and slotted home to give Brighton the lead.
It was a composed finish from a player who may not be in England much longer if reports out of Italy prove accurate.
Brighton were seconds away from securing all three points before Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz struck deep into stoppage time, equalising in the 97th minute and denying O’Riley’s side a winning start to the campaign.
O’Riley’s goal arrives at a time when his future is a major talking point. Juventus have reportedly stepped up their interest in the 24-year-old, with Italian media suggesting a five-year deal worth around €3million per season is already on the table. Talks with the player’s camp are believed to have been positive, with the Serie A giants keen to finalise the deal before the transfer window closes.
After a mixed first season at Brighton following his £25million move from Celtic, O’Riley’s future remains uncertain. Injury setbacks and limited game time have hampered his progress in the Premier League, but his quality remains evident, and Juventus appear convinced of his long-term value.
Celtic, meanwhile, will be watching developments closely. The Scottish champions inserted a sell-on clause into O’Riley’s Brighton deal last summer, and any significant fee from Juventus could see a welcome windfall return to Parkhead.
Matt O'Riley
For a player who was such an influential figure under Ange Postecoglou, Celtic could now benefit once more, this time from the business side.
O’Riley’s focus may be shifting towards Turin, but on the pitch, his quality hasn’t dipped. His penalty against Fulham serves as a timely reminder of what he brings and why Europe’s top clubs remain keen.
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