Report: Everton watching Brighton midfield situation closely ahead of summer window

Everton Eye Opportunity in Matt O’Riley Situation

Midfield Uncertainty Creates Summer Opportunity

Everton’s interest in Matt O’Riley is quietly gathering momentum, and while no formal approach has yet materialised, there is a sense that the door could be nudged open if Brighton offer even the faintest hint that he is available. The 23-year-old’s first Premier League season has been a paradox – full of potential yet short of rhythm. A campaign hampered by early injury and a lack of positional clarity has raised legitimate questions, but the quality remains undimmed.

O’Riley joined Brighton from Celtic with pedigree and promise. Two Denmark caps, a creative pulse in midfield, and three standout seasons in Glasgow made him one of the more exciting acquisitions last summer. But his transition to top-flight English football was staggered rather than seamless. Fabian Hürzeler’s early days in charge saw O’Riley sidelined, metaphorically and sometimes literally, as he struggled to find a defined role.

Photo: IMAGO

Late Season Surge Hints at Readiness

Yet something shifted in the spring. O’Riley began to feature more regularly, starting six of Brighton’s final eight matches. He registered a match-winning assist against Liverpool and showed composure from the spot against Tottenham. It was as if the fog began to lift, his influence growing as Brighton’s campaign wound down.

This uptick in form has not gone unnoticed. Everton, keen to add midfield depth and intelligence, would view O’Riley as a long-term project and a Premier League-proven option. There is an understanding that the Toffees must act smartly this summer, with finances tight and recruitment needing to be both strategic and imaginative. O’Riley, while not a headline-grabbing name, fits a mould: creative, technically adept, and with his prime years ahead.

European Interest Poses Real Threat

Everton’s challenge will be fending off interest from abroad. Sky Sports report that clubs in Serie A have long tracked O’Riley, and any indication from Brighton that a sale is possible could prompt a flurry of activity. European sides can offer continental competition and often more stable environments than Everton’s current flux.

Brighton’s stance, for now, appears to be one of retention. There is belief internally that O’Riley can blossom under a clearer tactical plan next season. Hürzeler is said to view him as a key part of his evolving squad. But football moves quickly, and firm interest from Everton – or a sizeable offer from Italy – could change the tone of that conversation.

Calculated Gamble or Missed Opportunity?

What Everton must decide is whether O’Riley is worth the pursuit even amid the uncertainty. Injuries and positional misuses can be contextualised. Talent, on the other hand, is harder to come by. If Brighton waver, O’Riley could become a savvy addition to a squad needing both quality and character.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From an Everton fan’s perspective, this move makes a lot of sense, even if it’s not the most glamorous rumour of the window. O’Riley is a player who offers something different – a calmness on the ball and vision we’ve been missing in midfield since James Rodríguez departed. While he’s not flashy, he’s efficient, and that final third quality is something we’ve lacked.

The concern is always the price and competition. If Serie A clubs come calling, it’s easy to see a young player opting for the lure of European football. But there’s also a strong case that Everton, with David Moyes building a proper structure now, could offer the right kind of project. A defined role, less rotation, and a chance to shine consistently.

Brighton may want to keep him, but they don’t hold players forever. If O’Riley feels he’s not central to their plans, a move to Goodison could work well for all parties. For once, we’d be buying a player on the rise, not on the recovery.