Cork players set sights on Premier League
This summer a host of Cork footballers are set to move clubs with a number hoping for Premier League moves.
Centre backs John Egan and Jake O’Brien have both been heavily linked with moves to Nottingham Forest and West Ham respectively while former Preston North End midfielder Alan Browne will also seek a new club.
Striker Adam Idah’s future is also uncertain after his successful loan spell with Celtic as he has returned to his club Norwich City.
On Monday Republic of Ireland international John Egan announced that he has left his club Sheffield United after 6 years and 2 promotions with the club. He's available on a free as is Alan Browne who left Preston North End recently after a decade and 412 appearances with the club.
He captained the club for the last four years and Preston described him as a “club legend”.
Last August, defender Jake O’Brien signed for French club Lyon from Crystal Palace for just €1 million. Coming into a club facing relegation and mounting pressure from fans, O’Brien made his debut in October and has started all but one league game since, missing out due to suspension. His first season saw him bag four goals including a towering effort in the French Cup final against PSG.
Recent rumours suggest that Premier League side West Ham are interested in signing the 23 year old for a sum close to £15 million, a move that could see Crystal Palace earn a nice payday due to a 25% sell-on clause included in his original move to Lyon.
Cork City, who sold him to Palace, would also stand to gain from any transfer agreed.
There are a few clubs interested in free agent Alan Browne after the midfielder informed EFL Championship side Preston North End that he will not be accepting an offer of a three-year extension to his contract.
Browne played 43 games for Preston last season, netting four times. One club rumoured to be interested in snapping up the 29 year old is Coventry City, although no official move has been made.
Browne marked his Preston debut in 2014 with a crunching tackle in midfield and an assist and went on to help his side to win promotion to the Championship in 2015.
Caoimhin Kelleher’s future remains unclear with Liverpool reported to have slapped a hefty £25 million price tag on the talented goalkeeper. In May, Kelleher told The Athletic that he may have to move clubs in order to play as a number one keeper.
“I want to do it all the time. My main ambition is to be a number 1,” he told the American website.