Celtic receive £25m+ bid for Matt O’Riley, Brighton agree striker sale to fund deal

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• EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey

HITC understands that Brighton have now submitted the largest offer of any club for Celtic star Matt O’Riley.

The Seagulls are pushing hard for the 23-year-old midfielder, who has attracted interest from several clubs.

Celtic are demanding a club-record sale to part ways with Matt O’Riley this summer, and the Glasgow giants have already rejected bids from Italian side Atalanta worth around £15million.

Newly-promoted Southampton have also held talks with Celtic over a move for the Danish international.

HITC can now confirm that Brighton have now made the largest offer so far for O’Riley – which overall is in excess of £25million.

Celtic also spoke to Brighton about Facundo Buonanotte being involved as part of the deal, but it is understood Leicester City have now agreed a deal to sign the 19-year-old.

The Seagulls have now green-lighted a sale which will help their push for O’Riley.

Brighton agree to sell 19-goal striker

Brighton are eager to win the race for O’Riley this summer and they have now agreed a deal which will make space for him at the Amex Stadium.

HITC understands that Brighton have agreed to sell Deniz Undav to Stuttgart.

Stuttgart submitted a club record bid of €30million (£25million) for Undav earlier this month which was rejected by Brighton.

New head coach Fabian Hurzeler has now sanctioned the move as it allows the Seagulls to invest elsewhere – including their push for O’Riley.

Undav had made his feelings clear to Brighton that he would like to move back to Stuttgart after shining there on loan last season with 19 goals and 10 assists.

All-in for O’Riley

Undav’s fee will help Brighton go all-in for O’Riley with Hurzeler eager to add him to his midfield ranks.

Brighton have already added Mats Wieffer to their midfield, and O’Riley will add even more quality to what is an exciting, young side.

READ MORE: ‘Fans will be apoplectic’… Celtic warned selling £35m duo could cause Brendan Rodgers to leave

A club-record sale for Celtic will also inflate their budget, but with the Scottish Premiership already underway they will have to move quickly to replace him if he does complete a move south of the border.