Alious
A permanent move could be on the horizon for Brighton midfielder Matt O’Riley, with Marseille actively exploring ways to keep the Danish international beyond his current loan spell.
O’Riley arrived at the Ligue 1 club last summer on loan from the Seagulls and has quickly carved out an important role under Roberto De Zerbi. The 25-year-old has featured 20 times across all competitions, contributing two goals and three assists, and his impact has been widely viewed as a success inside the club.
From the outset, De Zerbi’s vision extended beyond a temporary arrangement. The Marseille boss was keen to secure O’Riley on a permanent basis and sees him as a key part of his long-term plans.
Italian transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio, speaking to TipsBladet, has lifted the lid on the situation, revealing just how highly De Zerbi rates the midfielder. According to Di Marzio, the Marseille coach pushed hard to sign O’Riley outright from Brighton before settling for a loan deal.
He explained that efforts are now underway to turn the temporary move into a lasting one, with Marseille eager to retain O’Riley for next season and beyond. Much, however, could depend on De Zerbi’s own future at the club, given how central he has been to the player’s resurgence.
Despite that uncertainty, Di Marzio suggested O’Riley’s popularity goes beyond the manager alone, with club officials also keen to keep him in southern France.
O’Riley’s time at Brighton was a mixed experience, disrupted by injuries and marked by an apparent lack of chemistry with head coach Fabian Hürzeler. Since moving to Marseille, though, the midfielder looks more settled, confident and influential.
With his form on the rise and Marseille pushing behind the scenes, a permanent exit from Brighton now looks increasingly realistic — and one the player himself would likely welcome.
Alious
