Leeds United Poised to Reignite Interest as Brighton Reassess Future of Former 49ers Transfer Target

Leeds United may soon find themselves in familiar territory as Matt O’Riley’s future at Brighton & Hove Albion appears uncertain—just a year after they failed in an ambitious attempt to sign him from Celtic.

During Daniel Farke’s first transfer window in charge back in the summer of 2023, Leeds—then in the Championship—launched a bold £10 million bid to secure the Danish midfielder. Despite their best efforts, Celtic swiftly rejected the offer and moved quickly to secure O’Riley on a long-term deal.

That rejection did little to cool the 49ers’ admiration. Now, with Leeds having regained Premier League status, their transfer ambitions—and financial muscle—have significantly expanded, putting them in a much stronger position to revisit old targets.

O’Riley’s Journey Since Leeds’ First Approach

Following an outstanding 2023/24 season with Celtic—where he registered 19 goals and 18 assists across all competitions—O’Riley attracted the attention of Brighton, who sealed a £25 million transfer last summer.

However, his first campaign in the Premier League has been disrupted. An ankle injury picked up in an August EFL Cup tie sidelined him until November, limiting his impact. While he recently provided the assist in Brighton’s surprise win over Liverpool, his overall influence hasn’t matched his breakout form in Scotland.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano recently hinted—via a now-deleted social media post—that Brighton could be open to letting O’Riley go. Reportedly, interest has emerged from Serie A, the Bundesliga, and other Premier League sides, indicating that a move could be on the cards this summer.

Leeds United Could Reignite Pursuit

With midfield reinforcements likely high on Farke’s agenda ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, O’Riley’s renewed availability is bound to catch Leeds’ attention. He fits the 49ers’ profile of a technically gifted, dynamic player capable of influencing games on both ends of the pitch.

Given their long-standing interest and the clear need for quality additions in midfield, it would be no surprise if Leeds re-entered the race to sign the 24-year-old. Their return to the Premier League gives them greater appeal—and the resources—to secure targets that previously eluded them.

O’Riley may not have fulfilled expectations at Brighton, but a move to Elland Road could offer the chance for a fresh start in a system built around his talents. For Leeds, this could be a golden opportunity to finally land a player they once deemed a marquee signing.