Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley is on the verge of being announced as a Brighton player this weekend after the Bhoys agreed a fee with the English Premier League side.
Fabrizio Romano and Sky Sports have both reported that a transfer has been agreed in principle.
It’s expected that Celtic receive an initial sum of £25m for the Danish international, with a further £5m of add-ons taking the total package to record £30m levels.
Former Bhoys striker Chris Sutton understands why the move is going through but has raised questions about the strength of the squad available to Brendan Rodgers.
Chris Sutton says Celtic shouldn’t be weaker
Writing on social media site X, the outspoken pundit said: “Good luck to Matt O’Riley if he goes. He’s conducted himself brilliantly. Celtic will be weaker without him.
“I get Celtic are a development club and it will be “can’t stand in the player’s way”. I get that but the club shouldn’t be weaker player-wise than last season and they are!”
Sutton’s point will resonate with plenty of Celtic supporters. Not everyone is anxious about the way the transfer window has panned out but many are pretty frustrated with the lack of upgrades.
All the business the Bhoys have done so far has been to replenish last season’s squad. O’Riley’s exit undoubtedly makes the team weaker.
Celtic still have time to pull off big transfers
Rodgers reiterated on his Friday media duties that he expects business to be done over the next seven days and has consistently called for more quality to be brought into the current playing group.
The recruitment staff at the club undoubtedly have a bit of pressure on their shoulders to deliver. But there’s still time to come out of the window with some credit.
A couple of defenders and a solid O’Riley replacement will soon shift the mood, with the possibility of a couple of extras on top of that, too.
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