Brighton & Hove Albion have received a formal offer of £25.6 million (€30 million) from Serie A side Napoli for highly-rated midfielder Matt O’Riley, sources close to the club have revealed. The bid comes amid growing interest in the Danish international, who has enjoyed a standout campaign in Scotland with Celtic and has long been on the radar of several top European clubs.
O’Riley, 23, has been one of the most consistent performers in the Scottish Premiership over the past two seasons, showcasing his composure on the ball, range of passing, and ability to contribute both defensively and in the final third. The midfielder was instrumental in Celtic’s domestic success and also featured prominently in their European campaign, catching the eye of scouts across the continent.
Brighton, who have been actively monitoring O’Riley as part of their midfield succession planning, are now faced with serious competition for his signature. While the Seagulls had been hopeful of finalising a move this summer to bolster their options under new head coach Fabian Hürzeler, Napoli’s approach adds urgency and complexity to the situation.
Napoli, Serie A champions in 2022–23, are looking to rebuild after a turbulent follow-up season and see O’Riley as a perfect fit for their midfield overhaul. With question marks over the future of players like Piotr Zieliński and André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, the club’s new sporting director believes O’Riley could bring fresh energy and technical quality to Luciano Spalletti’s side.
Brighton have yet to formally respond to the offer but are expected to weigh their options carefully. The club is known for its data-driven recruitment strategy and has a strong track record of developing talent before selling at a premium. However, with Moisés Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister having departed in recent windows, Brighton are keen to reinforce their midfield rather than lose out on key targets.
O’Riley is currently under contract at Celtic until 2027, meaning the Scottish champions are in a strong negotiating position and could command an even higher fee, should a bidding war ensue. Whether Brighton are prepared to match Napoli’s financial package or step aside remains to be seen.
As the summer transfer window heats up, O’Riley’s future looks to be one of the key stories to watch — with Brighton, Napoli, and potentially other European clubs vying for his signature.
