Italian legend suggests Albion midfielder to be 'perfect' target for top club - Yahoo Sports
Matt O'Riley has been recommended as a target for Atalanta (Image: Simon Dack)
Fabio Capello has weighed in on the transfer attention around Matt O’Riley.
The former England boss has mentioned Albion’s midfielder as a player Atalanta should look to sign.
It is the latest development in what appears a rather puzzling summer around the ex-Celtic man.
Advertisement
Capello was speaking as part of his column for Italian sports newspaper and website La Gazzetta Dello Sport.
O’Riley was speculatively linked with interest from various leagues, including Serie A, by transfer tweeter Fabrizio Romano recently – but he then deleted his post.
Comments made in Denmark recently by O’Riley about his preferred midfield role were then widely interpreted as a message about wanting to move on.
O’Riley had said something very similar to a small group of reporters at the Amex late in the season.
Atalanta were believed to be keen on O’Riley last summer, when he went from Celtic to the Seagulls.
Advertisement
Gian Piero Gasperini was in charge at the Bergamo club at the time but is now head coach at Roma.
He has been succeeded by last season’s short-lived Southampton boss Ivan Juric.
Former Middlesbrough midfielder Marten De Roon 34, has been playing in a No.8 role for Atalanta, who are known as La Dea (The Goddess).
Capello said: "We need a serious alternative to De Roon in midfield, and for me the answer is called Matt O'Riley.
“Already linked to La Dea last year, then arriving at Brighton, he would be perfect for Juric.
“Quality and determination to spare, a natural leader .”
The next big fixture for JP as he ties the knot after a 'proud' season
Advertisement
Our special offer on Argus digital subscriptions - because the football never stops
Gasperini’s move to the capital is likely to explain any reported interest from Roma in O’Riley, who has been on international duty with the Danes of late.
Although his debut season with Albion, which was affected by injury, is widely seen as underwhelming, he had a run of six successive starts late in the campaign in a No. 10 role.
He then came off the bench for season-ending wins over Liverpool, when he crossed for the winning goal, and Tottenham, where he converted a penalty.
O'Riley cost Albion £25 million last summer and is under contract until 2029.
