AliousRoma Eye Brighton’s Matt O’Riley in £25m Midfield Move as Seagulls Hold Firm
Brighton midfielder Matt O’Riley has emerged as a top target for Roma this summer, with the Serie A club already opening talks over a potential deal, according to *Gazzetta dello Sport*. The Italian side sees the 23-year-old as a direct replacement for Leandro Paredes and has reportedly received the player’s approval to make the move — but they’ll need to meet Brighton’s firm valuation of £25 million to get the deal done.
Brighton are known for their tough negotiating stance and aren’t expected to budge easily. The club has already shown in previous high-profile sales — such as Moisés Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister — that they sell only on their terms. In O’Riley’s case, the Seagulls view him as a key component of their midfield, having impressed with his vision, passing range, and composure since joining from Celtic.
Roma are attempting to lower the price, but Brighton’s reluctance to compromise could stall progress. The Dane is admired in Italy, and this isn’t the first time he’s attracted Serie A interest — Atalanta nearly signed him last season under Gian Piero Gasperini. Now, Roma hope to succeed where their rivals failed.
The negotiations have also involved another familiar name: Josip Juranovic. The Croatian full-back, currently with Union Berlin and formerly at Celtic, was reportedly offered as part of broader discussions. However, that aspect of the talks remains speculative and appears to be more about exploratory options than an imminent deal.
From a tactical perspective, O’Riley fits the Italian game well. His intelligence, ability to dictate play, and effectiveness in both open play and dead-ball situations make him a valuable asset. Under manager Fabian Hürzeler, he’s taken another step in his development — but that only raises questions about whether Brighton should even consider letting him go.
From the Seagulls’ standpoint, offloading O’Riley now would be risky. At just 23, he still has untapped potential. While Brighton have built a reputation for shrewd recruitment and succession planning, the recent midfield departures mean continuity is becoming more valuable than ever.
Unless Roma meet the full £25 million asking price, Brighton are unlikely to entertain the idea. And even then, fans may feel the timing is premature. For now, Roma’s interest is real — but they’ll need more than admiration to tempt Brighton into parting with another core player.
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