Brighton & Hove Albion have emerged as frontrunners to sign Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley, having submitted a formal bid reportedly worth over £25 million, which would break the Scottish transfer record. The Seagulls' offer follows a series of rejected bids from Atalanta, who had been pursuing the 23-year-old but ultimately shifted their focus to Udinese’s Lazar Samardzic. Personal terms with O’Riley are believed to be agreed in principle, and negotiations between the two clubs are ongoing. Celtic's manager Brendan Rodgers has emphasized that O’Riley will not be sold cheaply, as the club seeks a substantial fee reflective of his value. Despite the interest, O’Riley has continued to contribute to Celtic's matches this season, asserting his commitment while expressing a desire to explore a transfer. As the transfer window approaches its deadline, Brighton is optimistic about securing this deal, which could also facilitate other moves within the Premier League.