Matt O’Riley insists he has no knowledge of any transfer deal taking him to Juventus, despite growing reports from Italy suggesting the Serie A giants could launch a £30million move for the Brighton midfielder before the end of the window.
The Denmark international was on the scoresheet for Fabian Hürzeler’s Brighton in their 1-1 draw with Fulham last Saturday, converting a first-half penalty before Rodrigo Muniz struck a stoppage-time equaliser for the hosts. O’Riley’s assured performance only fuelled speculation of a summer switch, but the former Celtic star was quick to dismiss claims that his future lies away from the Amex Stadium.
O’Riley: “I’m very happy here”
Speaking after the match, O’Riley insisted he remains fully focused on Brighton and has made his commitment clear to his manager.
“*I’m very happy here. I’m having fun. That’s all I know at the moment. I did go to Fabian in pre-season to reiterate I am here as a Brighton player to help the team as much as possible. I was aware there was a lot of noise around me and I think that helps just settle the situation in general.*”
The 23-year-old joined Brighton from Celtic in 2024 and has quickly established himself as a key figure under Hürzeler. His form has not gone unnoticed, with Juventus reportedly lining him up as a replacement if they can move Douglas Luiz off their wage bill before the window closes, according to the Daily Record.
Reports In Italy
Speculation around O’Riley’s future has grown steadily throughout the summer, with multiple outlets in Italy claiming Juventus are preparing to make their move before the September 1 deadline. However, Brighton’s stance has remained firm, with no agreement in place for a transfer and O’Riley himself publicly distancing from the rumours.
Designated Penalty Taker Uncertain
O’Riley has now scored in consecutive Premier League games from the penalty spot, following up his strike on the final day of last season with another composed finish against Fulham. Despite his success from 12 yards, he admitted he is not guaranteed to be Brighton’s first-choice penalty taker.
“*We’ve got a few takers. If Danny’s on the pitch as well he can take them, I have respect for him. If he wanted to take it, that’s fine.*”
Focus On Brighton
For now, O’Riley remains a central figure in Brighton’s midfield as they look to build on their impressive form in the Premier League under Hürzeler. With the transfer window entering its final stretch, speculation is likely to continue, but O’Riley has made it clear where his focus lies — on helping Brighton push forward rather than planning a move to Turin.