Matt O'Riley, the Danish midfielder who had attracted interest from Atletico Madrid, has been signed by Brighton & Hove Albion in a club record deal. The transfer, which has been completed for a fee of £25m, confirms that the player will move to the Premier League.
O'Riley, 23, had been a key player at Celtic, where his performances last season made him one of the most promising midfielders in European football. With 19 goals and 18 assists, his ability to influence play in both attack and defence caught the eye of a number of clubs. Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid were one of the teams to show serious interest in the young talent.
Atletico's offer
In January, Atletico Madrid submitted a £20m bid for O'Riley, a proposal that was rejected by Celtic. Despite the club's efforts, the Scottish side decided to keep the player, hoping for an offer that could better meet their expectations. In fact, Celtic had previously rejected five offers from Atalanta, the highest being £21.5m plus add-ons.
O'Riley's decision to join Brighton represents an exciting challenge for the midfielder. This move is not only significant for the player, but also for the Scottish club, who set a new record for the transfer fee received.
A reinforcement that fades away
From Atletico Madrid's point of view, the news comes at a time when the team is looking to strengthen its squad for the season. Celtic's refusal to accept the January offer left Simeone's team in a difficult situation. O'Riley's arrival at Brighton may lead the Rojiblancos to look for new options in the market, as the competition to sign young and promising talent remains intense.
Simeone had identified O'Riley as a player who could fit perfectly into his tactical scheme. His ability to recover the ball, his vision of the game and his ability to move around the pitch made him a valuable asset for Atlético.