Matt O'Riley pictured en route to Brighton as Celtic £25million transfer closes in

Matt O'Riley has been pictured on a flight to Brighton this morning as he gets set to pen his deal and leave Celtic for a record fee.

The playmaker, 23, has been on the list of a number of clubs this summer with Atalanta having FIVE bids booted out by the Hoops. Brighton, meanwhile, arrived at the table a short time after those efforts and were always confident of landing their man. Now it appears the Danish international is closing in on his Parkhead exit as he and his agent took their seats on the plane this morning.

Celts will earn around £25million guaranteed for their talisman but add-ons will take the deal towards the £30m barrier which would be a price never before earned by a Scottish football club.

But with all that cash in the bank, Brendan Rodgers will have to find a replacement and do it fast. Arne Engels of Augsburg is high on the list of top targets while LAFC's Polish star Mateusz Bogusz is also one the club are keen on.

Alvyn Sanches was in discussions with Celtic for some time but that interest has cooled in recent weeks.