Napoli have tabled a €30 million offer for Albion midfielder Matt O’Riley, according to Sky Sports.
The offer doesn’t come as too much of a surprise to Seagulls fans, as links of O’Riley departing this summer started immediately after the season finished.
It is said that Brighton will entertain offers if they feel their valuation is met.
Is it time to go already?
Matt O’Riley only signed for Brighton last summer after a £25 million move from Celtic. The club were eager to bring him in for some time, but he has suffered injury problems throughout the season.
Missing a lengthy period right at the beginning, O’Riley suffered ankle damage after a reckless challenge from Crawley Town’s Jay Williams. The injury kept O’Riley out, frustratingly, throughout the first few months of his Albion career.
O’Riley bounced back quicker than expected and was praised by his manager for the impressive mentality to turn-around the damage and fight back for a place in the first team. His goal against Manchester City to write a dramatic 2-1 win on his Premier League debut will be a story that will live in fans’ memories for years to come.
Matt O'Riley celebrates [image via Twitter/X]
Sadly, the memories other than that seem to be a little more scarce. His style doesn’t fit Fabian Hürzeler’s style, and seemingly despite having a pull to the club, this doesn’t seem reciprocated on the pitch.
His comments recently were refreshingly honest, as he was tasked with questions over his Albion future and morale at the club.
He explained:
“It’s hard to showcase yourself when you’re playing in a position you’re not completely happy with.
I’m just expressing my opinion. I can play better for the team if I’m in the No. 8 role, but I can also perform well in other positions.
You can say it in a way that’s not aggressive. If you’re honest with someone, you’re not losing anything. The coach can always say he disagrees.
I’ve become better at defending, being more aggressive and intense in duels.
My coach said I needed to work on my defensive mindset so I could defend better and help the team that way. I think that will also help on the national team.
It’s been tough when you haven’t been able to go out and give it your all.”
O’Riley hinted at his inner frustration over not being played to the best of his profile’s ability, thus a move would not seem too unlikely even just one year into his time at Brighton.
The Danish international went on to say:
“I’ve had difficult things happen in my personal life involving people close to me, and that doesn’t help on the pitch if you’re not stable off it.
I mainly just need to focus on football, take care of my well-being, and have fun. Then everything else will fall into place.”
Of course, I do wish him all the very best with anything affecting him on a personal basis. Some things are much bigger than football, and personal difficulties with close people are certainly one of them.
Should I stay or should I go?
I do believe Matt O’Riley to have a better career here. His character and mentality are both top drawer. His work with the Albion foundation, and how he conducts himself in interviews are both admirable ways to carry yourself as a professional footballer.
On the pitch, he still has more to offer. He is better suited to being a late-arrival in the box and confident in possession. The latter is something the Seagulls have had to sacrifice since Hürzeler’s arrival and therefore could change O’Riley’s willingness to stay if he feels he can play his position in a stronger manner elsewhere.
A move to Italy, in a league that is enjoying a positive moment in world football, could be seen as a major positive for him as a player.
Both Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay, most significantly the ex-United man, are success stories for British players taking the plunge into Serie A.
Hounslow-born O’Riley could be the next to add to that list.
