Football
Paris FC Chasing Brighton's Frozen Out Midfielder Matt O’Riley
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Brighton & Hove Albion v Fulham - Premier League by Ryan Pierse | Getty Images
Paris FC are interested in signing Matt O’Riley this summer, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
The former Celtic star has returned to Brighton and Hove Albion after being recalled from his loan spell at Marseille earlier this season.
But our sources have been told that Paris FC are willing to offer £25million for the playmaker, who is contracted to the Seagulls until June 2029.
It is understood the club, who were promoted back to Ligue 1 last season, were monitoring his situation closely before O’Riley was whisked back to England in February.
Our sources have been told there have been tentative talks behind the scenes regarding a move for the player, who has struggled since he swapped Scotland for the Premier League in 2024.
And Paris FC, who were chasing a number of top-flight targets during the winter window, are ready to push the button on a deal as we head towards the end of the campaign.
Our sources understand Brighton are open to letting the player leave the club after an underwhelming spell on the south coast.
Celtic Hero
The six-time Denmark international started his career at Fulham, where he joined the academy aged eight.
He was released by the club, where he made one Championship appearance, after more than a decade at Craven Cottage in 2020.
After a six-month training spell at MK Dons, O’Riley signed for the club as a free agent and went on to score ten goals in 49 League One outings before being picked up by Celtic.
He penned a four-and-a-half-year deal with the Scottish giants after they triggered his £1.5million release clause.
O’Riley helped the club to three straight league titles, which included a memorable domestic treble in the 2022/23 season.
During his trophy-laden spell at the club, he also earned individual honours as the club’s Player of the Year in 2023/24 and was named Young Player of the Year in successive seasons before his £25million move to Brighton.
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