TBR Football can exclusively confirm that Roma are readying a bid to sign a Brighton & Hove Albion player who Tottenham Hotspur have always liked.
Spurs are set for a busy summer on the transfer front as they look to strengthen their ranks in the wake of a dismal domestic campaign.
Indeed, Tottenham could potentially also be looking for a new manager, with speculation intensifying over Ange Postecoglou’s future at Spurs.
However, Spurs will need to be mindful of other clubs stealing a march on their summer targets, which seems to be the case here.
Roma are preparing a bid for Tottenham target Matt O’Riley
TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey can confirm that Italian giants AS Roma are preparing a bid to lure Brighton star and Tottenham target Matt O’Riley to Serie A.
The 24-year-old midfielder joined Brighton last summer from Scottish champions Celtic in a deal worth around £25million.
O’Riley has featured in 20 games, but interest is growing with Brighton considering sanctioning his exit and a number of clubs are keen.
Tottenham have always liked the Denmark international, as have Newcastle United.
Roma looked at him last year before he joined Brighton and now their sporting chief Florent Ghisolfi is ready to make a move.
TBR Football also understands that O’Riley is now considering whether to leave the AMEX Stadium.
O’Riley, who created Brighton’s winner against Liverpool on Monday evening, has started just 11 games this season.
O’Riley has been told by Denmark boss Brian Riemer that he needs to be playing ahead of next year’s World Cup finals.
We can confirm that there are clubs in Italy and Spain looking, while as mentioned, there is also interest in England too – should Brighton allow him to move.
Only last week O’Riley’s Brighton teammate Yankuba Minteh said his colleague has the ability to play for any club in the world, he was that skilful.
“He is a good guy, and he is skilled on the pitch. He has the talent to play for any club he wants,” Minteh told Viaplay.
Kenny Dalglish’s Matt O’Riley seal of approval
O’Riley has struggled to tie down a regular spot under Fabian Hurzeler and, with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, he’s got to think about regular football.
O’Riley was especially impressive at Celtic, registering 27 goals and 34 assists from 121 appearances.
He is a player who has really impressed Celtic legend Kenny Dalglish.
“Matt O’Riley played his part and his one-touch pass to put the Japanese striker through was as good a ball as you’ll see this season,” Dalglish told the media late last year.
“I believe he cost in the region of £1.5 million from MK Dons, which is an absolute steal.
“He has matured and his game has improved. At 22, there is still plenty more to come and he appears to be thriving under Brendan.”
Meanwhile, Brendan Rodgers previously described O’Riley as “phenomenal”.
O’Riley would’ve been a good shout for Tottenham, as Postecoglou knows him well from when they were both at Celtic, and he can play at No. 6, No. 8 and No. 10.
However, with Postecoglou’s future at Spurs uncertain, there’s the possibility O’Riley could find himself playing under a different manager – which would not be ideal were he to join because of Postecoglou.
