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.