‘Fabian Hurzeler will accept Matt O’Riley offer after Brighton exit claim’
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler is prepared to sanction the sale of Matt O’Riley should significant offers arrive during the transfer window.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 24-year-old is interested in a move away from the Seagulls.
This comes after the midfielder expressed his frustration at having been used out of position by Hurzeler following his arrival from Celtic last summer.
Football Insider revealed on 2 June that Brighton will make it difficult for Everton to sign O’Riley and will demand at least the £25million fee spent to bring him in.
However, Hurzeler is unlikely to stand in the Denmark international’s way should he express his desire to leave the club as long as the money is right.
David Moyes is believed to be a big fan of O’Riley, who has been on the radar of English clubs for years thanks to his impressive displays with Celtic.
Brighton open to offers for Matt O’Riley
O’Riley is not the only star being linked with a move away from Brighton, as Brown told Football Insider that Arsenal are keeping tabs on Kaoru Mitoma.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during the most successful period, has insisted that the Seagulls boss will not stand in the way if players want to leave this summer.
“Brighton will listen to offers for Matt O’Riley,” he told Football Insider.
“The manager won’t stand in his way if he wants to leave, because he’s made it clear he’s not entirely happy at the club and with his role there.
“From what I hear, he’s done that privately as well as publicly.
“If they get a good offer for him, I think it’s something they’re going to have to consider.
“They don’t want unhappy players in the dressing room, because the discontent can spread quickly.
“So if he isn’t happy there, there’s no reason they’d want to keep him around.
“But it will also have to be the right deal and the right money for them, because he’s only been there for a year and they won’t want to make a loss on him.”
Joao Pedro update emerges amid Newcastle and Chelsea latest
Alongside both O’Riley and Mitoma, another Brighton star who is being heavily linked with a move away this summer is Joao Pedro.
Brown told Football Insider on 31 May that Newcastle are eyeing a move for Pedro as Eddie Howe wants to bolster his attacking options in the transfer window.
The imminent departure of Callum Wilson upon the expiry of his contract will force the Magpies to find a new backup for Alexander Isak.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider that Pedro wants to leave Brighton and join Chelsea as he wants to make the step up to a bigger club.
For more Brighton and exclusive news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.