In a significant development, Brighton & Hove Albion have lodged a formal bid to sign Celtic’s highly coveted midfielder Matt O’Riley, edging ahead of Chelsea in the pursuit of the 23-year-old’s signature.

According to Sky Sports reporter Lyall Thomas, the Seagulls have submitted a formal offer, with negotiations between the two clubs set to continue in the coming days. While an agreement has yet to be reached, Brighton’s proactive approach has positioned them as front-runners in the race to secure O’Riley’s services.

The Danish midfielder has been a subject of intense transfer speculation throughout the summer, with multiple Premier League clubs vying for his attention. Southampton and Chelsea were also linked with O’Riley, but Brighton’s decisive move has catapulted them to the forefront of the chase.

Celtic, however, are likely to drive a hard bargain, having already rejected five bids from Italian outfit Atalanta, the latest of which was a £21.5m offer. It remains to be seen whether Brighton’s proposal exceeds this figure, but the Scottish champions will undoubtedly be reluctant to part with their prized asset.

O’Riley’s impressive statistics in the Scottish Premiership – ranking first in goals, assists, shots per game, key passes per game, and match rating – underscore his value to Celtic. Manager Brendan Rodgers will be keen to retain the midfielder’s services, but the lure of a substantial transfer fee may ultimately prove too enticing to resist.

As the transfer window hurtles towards its conclusion, Celtic face a nervy wait to discover whether they can retain O’Riley’s services or cash in on his burgeoning talent. One thing is certain – the next few days will be pivotal in shaping the Hoops’ squad dynamics.