adminAtletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund are both vying to sign Brighton midfielder Matt O’Riley, but according to TEAMtalk, Tottenham is emerging as an unexpected contender for his signature, with Roberto de Zerbi being a big admirer.
Reliable sources have confirmed that both Atletico and Dortmund are expressing what has been described as “strong” interest as the summer transfer window draws near. The 25-year-old Denmark international, who cut short a loan spell at Marseille, is now drawing serious attention from two of Europe’s most ambitious clubs. O’Riley originally joined Brighton from Celtic in August 2024 for £25 million, a record fee received by a Scottish club.
His time at the Amex Stadium has been inconsistent. Injuries and limited first-team chances under manager Fabian Hurzeler led to a season-long loan move to Marseille in September 2025. He performed well in Ligue 1 and the Champions League, making 25 appearances and scoring once before Brighton recalled him in February 2026 to strengthen their squad for the final stretch of the season. Despite occasional moments of quality, O’Riley has found regular Premier League minutes hard to come by. Brighton are thought to be open to a permanent sale this summer for the right price, viewing it as a chance to recover their investment and restructure their midfield.
Tottenham join the race after internal discussions
Sources suggest Brighton value O’Riley at around £35 million, though any deal would include a sell-on clause benefiting Celtic, effectively raising the price. Atletico Madrid have long admired the technically skilled central midfielder—Diego Simeone’s side previously tried to sign him during his Celtic days and have now revived their interest. Simeone’s preference for disciplined, hard-working players fits well with O’Riley’s box-to-box style, combining defensive resilience with attacking creativity.
Borussia Dortmund are also keen, looking to bolster their midfield ahead of what could be a transitional season. Niko Kovac and Dortmund’s scouting team are said to rate O’Riley highly for his versatility and work rate, viewing him as an ideal fit for their high-pressing system at Signal Iduna Park. Marseille, where O’Riley had a productive first half of the season, remain interested in a permanent move but may struggle to match Brighton’s and other clubs’ financial demands.
However, Tottenham could be one to watch. According to sources, De Zerbi likes O’Riley “a lot,” and if Spurs avoid relegation, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them enter the race. His name has reportedly come up in recruitment meetings at Tottenham. For O’Riley, a move to La Liga, another Premier League side, or the Bundesliga would mark a significant step forward, offering regular top-level football. Brighton, meanwhile, are ready to listen to offers but will not approve a cut-price departure for a player under contract until 2029.
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