Carlos Baleba, Matt O'Riley (REUTERS/Peter Cziborra)
Brighton & Hove Albion look set for a hectic summer transfer window after a promising first season under Fabian Hürzeler, which saw the club finish eighth in the Premier League—just missing out on European qualification.
More impressive than their final league position, however, was the manner of their performances. The Seagulls’ dynamic, explosive style of play caught the eye, helping them to notable wins over Premier League giants such as Newcastle United, Manchester City, and Chelsea.
Their standout displays have not gone unnoticed, with several Brighton players now reportedly being targeted for summer moves.
Chelsea, for instance, are said to be interested in Brazilian striker Joao Pedro, who finished the campaign with 10 goals and six assists in 27 Premier League appearances.
Midfielder Carlos Baleba is also attracting interest, with Manchester City and Liverpool among the clubs reportedly monitoring his situation.
Napoli Submit Bid for Matt O’Riley
Another player who could be on the move is Danish midfielder Matt O’Riley. The 23-year-old only joined Brighton last summer from Celtic but has endured an injury-hit season, making just 11 Premier League starts.
Nevertheless, his performances in those appearances have been enough to convince Serie A giants Napoli of his talent. According to Sky Sports, the Italian club has submitted a £25.6 million bid for the midfielder.
While Brighton still consider O’Riley an important part of their long-term project, they are reportedly open to letting him leave if their valuation is met.
Sky also reports that talks between Brighton and Napoli—home to former Seagulls midfielder Billy Gilmour—are ongoing as they work out the terms of a potential deal. Serie A rivals AS Roma and Atalanta are also said to be interested.
Though O’Riley has struggled for minutes at Brighton, he previously excelled at Celtic, where former manager Brendan Rodgers praised his impact and character.
“He is very humble, there is nothing flash about him. His peers recognise the work he puts in and the mentality that he has,” Rodgers said after O’Riley won Celtic’s Player of the Year award. “They know when they sit beside him in the changing room, this is a guy that puts in absolutely everything for the team and that is obviously very much respected.”
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