Brighton could lose ‘unique talent’ in January, talks to ‘accelerate’
Matt O’Riley could soon leave Brighton on a permanent deal following a strong start to life on loan with French giants Marseille.
Matt O’Riley struggled to make an impact in his first season at Brighton following a £25million move from Celtic in the summer of 2024.
The Denmark international played 23 times in all competitions under Fabian Hurzeler, scoring and assisting two goals each, as he was handed just 11 league starts all campaign.
Football Insider revealed in June that Brighton were ready to accept offers for O’Riley after his disappointing maiden season, but he began 2025-26 in the starting eleven and even scored against Fulham on 16 August.
O’Riley was adamant that he wasn’t leaving Brighton after that goal, but he did eventually depart on deadline day to join Marseille on loan for the season.
Marseille want Matt O’Riley on a permanent deal in January
O’Riley has impressed in his time in France under former Seagulls boss Roberto De Zerbi so far, with one goal and two assists in 14 appearances from central midfield.
Sky Sports have now reported that Marseille are ready to accelerate discussions with Brighton about signing the 25-year-old on a permanent deal in the January window.
The report states that the Ligue 1 side do not have an option or an obligation to buy him in the loan deal agreed back in September, while they are aware of interest in him from big clubs across Europe’s top five leagues and want to get a transfer sealed for him soon as a result.
Marseille boss De Zerbi is believed to consider O’Riley a “unique talent,” who has “elite technical ability,” so it is likely that his demands to sign the midfielder permanently have led Marseille to explore the conditions around a deal.
Brighton could also lose another star midfielder in Carlos Baleba
Brighton are not particularly missing O’Riley right now, with their decent start to the campaign seeing them into sixth place in the Premier League after 12 games.
While the club may well be open to letting him cut ties in January, provided the price is right, they will be doing all they can to dissuade Carlos Baleba from departing mid-season.
Baleba was wanted by Man United throughout the summer window, but they ultimately chose not to sign a new midfielder and thus he has played 15 times for the Seagulls so far this term.
Football Insider revealed in September that Baleba has had his head turned by Man United, with Liverpool now also interested in signing him too, but it is imperative that Brighton keep hold of him until the end of this campaign at the very least.