£17m deal announced gives Brighton transfer boost, they can lead race for Celtic star Matt O'Riley

If sitting top of the Premier League table didn’t already have Brighton fans excited, the latest news from the transfer window certainly will.

Fabian Hurzeler made a flying start to life as Brighton boss after securing an emphatic 3-0 win over Everton during his first Premier League outing.

The Seagulls boss handed debuts to summer signings Yankuba Minteh and Mats Wieffer and both looked more than comfortable in their first outing.

Brighton have already made six new signings this summer but they are still scouring the market for any further opportunities.

As revealed by HITC, Brighton are continuing to chase Celtic star Matt O’Riley with Hurzeler keen to sign the 23-year-old.

Their chances of landing the Denmark international have just been increased.

£17m deal has big implications for Matt O’Riley

Matt O’Riley has started in all three of Celtic‘s matches this season, including their 3-1 win over Hibernian in the Scottish League Cup on Sunday.

But he continues to be linked with a move away from the Glasgow giants and Italian side Atalanta had two bids worth around £15million rejected.

The Serie A side pushed for O’Riley but they have turned their attention elsewhere and secured a deal for Lazar Samardzic.

O’Riley is adored at Celtic and the Scottish champions would love to keep hold of him this season.

He is under contract at Celtic Park until 2027, but with huge bids arriving this summer they may struggle to keep hold of him.

Brighton have already offered over £25million for O’Riley this summer, and the Seagulls are not short of cash after selling the likes of Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister in recent windows.

With Atalanta now dropping out of the race, Brighton have a chance to jump to the front of the queue for O’Riley.