MATT O’RILEY is poised to tie up his record-breaking move to Brighton after Celtic last night agreed a deal in principle with the Seagulls worth up to £30m.
The subject of a string of failed bids from Italian side Atalanta throughout the summer, the 23-year-old’s exit was sealed when the English club finally met Celtic’s valuation of £26m.
But Mail Sport understands that figure - £1m more than the record fee the club got from Al Ittihad for Jota - will rise by £4m with add-ons across the duration of the player’s time in England.
The Denmark international is now expected to miss Celtic’s game away to St Mirren tomorrow as he travels south to tie up the formalities.
Celtic have agreed to sell Matt O'Riley to Brighton for £30m
Brendan Rodgers will now step up his efforts to replace the player with Mateusz Bogusz, LAFC’s attacking midfielder available for around £8m.
The O’Riley deal represents an extraordinary piece of business from the Parkhead club.
The Fulham academy graduate arrived from MK Dons for just £1.5m in January 2022 under Ange Postecoglou.
The midfielder won three titles, two Scottish Cups and a League Cup and graduated to become a full international.
His performances in the Champions League caught the eye of Atletico Madrid.
While Celtic rejected the Spanish giants’ offer of £20m for him in January, his form throughout the season - scoring 19 goals and claiming 18 assists - ensured he remained a man in demand.