Chris Beesley, Liverpool Echo 02/06/2025 16comments  |  Jump to last

The Echo examines what midfielder Matt O’Riley would bring to Everton after the club was linked with a move for the Brighton & Hove Albion squad player.

A report from Sky News claims that there is uncertainty around the Denmark international after he was an irregular part of Fabian Hurzeler’s team in his first season, in part due to an injury at the start of the campaign, while also playing out of position. It is not clear whether the Seagulls would be willing to sell at this stage, as they see him as a player that would contribute significantly next season.

O’Riley scored twice and assisted three times in the Premier League – starting 6 of the last 8  games – providing a match-winning assist against Liverpool and a penalty against Tottenham Hotspur.

Born in the West London borough of Hounslow on 21 November 2000, O’Riley joined Fulham’s academy at the age of 8 but after coming up through the ranks with the Cottagers, he quit the club in the summer of 2020 when his contract expired – rejecting a new three-year deal – after making five first-team appearances.

He spent the next 6 months as a free agent before being picked up by League One Milton Keynes Dons in January 2021. Making 54 appearances and scoring 10 goals for the Buckinghamshire outfit over the following year, O’Riley joined Celtic in January 2022 when the Glasgow giants met his £1.5million release clause.

Other sources claim that Brighton & Hove Albion will demand around £25M to part ways with the 24-year-old.

Read the full article at the Liverpool Echo

Reader Comments (16)

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Martin Mason
1 Posted 02/06/2025 at 14:52:41
Matt O'Reily from Brighton, I have just read.
Brian Williams
2 Posted 02/06/2025 at 14:55:36
O'Reily's at Finch Farm right now!

News imminent.

Andrew Ellams
3 Posted 02/06/2025 at 14:56:15
Not sure why Brighton would sell.

He had a decent end to an injury hit season so I'm guessing they'd want to keep him on for next season at least.

Christy Ring
4 Posted 02/06/2025 at 15:02:23
A nice skilful player who had a bad injury just after signing, and finding it hard to reclaim his place in his preferred position.

I can't see them selling after just one season.

Rob Halligan
5 Posted 02/06/2025 at 15:11:37
Brian # 2 excellent news.

Should be a great addition to the squad. 👍👍👍

Brendan McLaughlin
7 Posted 02/06/2025 at 15:38:42
O Really? Brian #2
Brian Williams
8 Posted 02/06/2025 at 15:57:55
Nooooooo O'Riley. 🤣🤣🤣
Kev Johnson
9 Posted 02/06/2025 at 15:58:32
I like the cut of his jib, defo. A year or so ago, I posted on a YouTube highlights video "He'd look good in blue". That was when he was at Celtic with a move to the Premier League mooted.

He went to Brighton, obviously, but if we have a chance to get him now at a decent price, then I say we should do it.

ps: West Brom's Fellows to follow. Calling it now!

Mark Murphy
12 Posted 02/06/2025 at 16:18:21
A Denmark international born in Hounslow with an Irish name.

Mind, wasn't St Kevin of Sheedy proper Welsh, look you?

Robert Tressell
15 Posted 02/06/2025 at 16:57:23
If it happens, it might well be a loan rather than a permanent deal. Brighton now have a gigantic squad. Otherwise presumably Brighton take a haircut on the €25M they spent on him last summer.

O'Riley fits the profile for a traditional Moyes signing:

1. He's under 26 and has 100 senior games under his belt (so can hit the first team immediately and occupy a position for more than 5 years).

2. He's good enough for Europa League but not for Champions League.

Ferguson or Enciso would be more exciting but he could be a good signing.

Liam Mogan
18 Posted 02/06/2025 at 17:33:49
I watched a lot of O'Riley at Celtic.

He's got a lot of ability on the ball.

Nicolas Piñon
22 Posted 02/06/2025 at 17:49:17
Does he fit our new succesful standards?
Martin Mason
35 Posted 02/06/2025 at 20:01:01
They seem to be looking at the type of players that I want to see at Everton, young and hard running, possibly underperforming now with scope to develop. No silly sums and wages.

I think that we've done well in the last few years with Thelwell's buys but we wasted some money in the Moshiri - Kenwright Dark Ages.

Tom Bowers
49 Posted 02/06/2025 at 22:06:06
The rumor mill will abound now so no point expecting a move inwards until it's written in stone.

There will be movements no doubt about it but money is the big stumbling block for the Blues as we all know too well.

I think Moyes has gotten this squad into a better frame of mind and some of the end of season results were amazing so we can only hope this carries over to next season.

New improved acquisitions will always be welcome so lets keep our fingers crossed.

Jimmy Carr
71 Posted 03/06/2025 at 10:21:04
He does fit the Moyes profile. I’m happy we’re not chasing superstars anymore but still regret Thelwell’s departure. He got us Ndiaye, Alcatraz and O’Brien for relative buttons and got rid of most of the dead wood. I would have loved to have seen what he would have achieved under this regime.
Jay Bethel
82 Posted 03/06/2025 at 15:13:32
Liam 18. Great to connect with you (briefly).

My thoughts on AI being used for write ups... Lazy journalism.

Stay safe and up the blues.

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