The announcement of Matt O’Riley’s transfer to Brighton has yet to be made, despite clear signs that the deal is all but done.
An image of the midfielder boarding a plane on Saturday fueled speculation that the transfer was imminent, yet both clubs have remained silent. According to our sources, there are no issues with the transfer itself, meaning it’s a matter of “when,” not “if,” the move will be confirmed.
One plausible reason for the delay could be Celtic’s approach to making an official statement via the London Stock Exchange (LSE). As a publicly traded company, Celtic PLC is required to notify the LSE of significant financial transactions, especially those that could impact shareholder value. This includes record-breaking transfer deals, where the figures involved are substantial enough to influence the market.
Celtic has done this in the past with the transfers of Moussa Dembele to Lyon for £22 million and Kieran Tierney to Arsenal for £25 million. Both deals were substantial enough to warrant public acknowledgment through the Stock Exchange, signaling the financial strength and activity of the club to investors and the market.
We understand Celtic can make the announcement outwith trading hours but in the past they have posted the announcement with a stock exchange letter.
In contrast, Jota’s recent transfer to Saudi Arabia did not receive the same treatment, likely because the final fee did not quite reach the £25 million mark that some media outlets reported. However, with Matt O’Riley’s move to Brighton expected to bring in £25 million plus add-ons to bring it to £30m, it seems likely that this deal could be the third to generate a Stock Exchange announcement.
This would explain the current silence, as Celtic may be coordinating the timing of the transfer announcement with an official statement to the LSE.
The official confirmation of O’Riley’s departure seems imminent, and when it comes, it could very well be accompanied by a formal nod from the Stock Exchange, underlining the magnitude of the deal.
For Celtic, it’s all about what they do next and how they use that money to strengthen the squad.
