With the summer transfer window now kicking into gear, it will be interesting to see what Ireland players will be on the move over the coming months.
Quite a few of our footballers are likely to switch clubs before the start of next season. Some of them will move in search of more playing time, while others will be looking to move up the footballing ladder after spells of impressive recent form.
With that in mind, we have identified six Ireland players that should look for permanent transfers to other clubs this summer. In each case, we have also given three possible destinations for each Irish international.
Here’s what we came up with.
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Possible transfer destinations for six Ireland players this summer
Troy Parrott (Spurs)
After some mixed results during his previous loan spells, Troy Parrott very much found his feet this season at Excelsior Rotterdam. While the campaign would ultimately end in relegation form the Dutch top flight, it was a huge success for the Irishman from a personal point of view.
He would score 17 goals and register five assists in the league despite struggling with injuries early on in the campaign.
At 22-years old and a with breakthrough at Spurs unlikely to be forthcoming, this summer seems like the right time for Parrott to find a permanent home elsewhere.
His performances this season have reportedly drawn the interest of some of the biggest clubs in the Netherlands, the type of move that would make a lot of sense for him at this point in his career.
Possible destinations: Ajax, PSV Eindhoven, Feyenoord
Caomihín Kelleher (Liverpool)
It looks as though Caoimhín Kelleher will be on his way out of Liverpool this summer, with the goalkeeper admitting that he intends to be a no.1 next season. As impressive as he was this season, the presence of Alisson Becker means that it is very unlikely that he will be given that opportunity at Anfield.
Liverpool are open to selling the Cork man this summer, although he will not be allowed to leave on the cheap. Recent reports suggest that they could seek a few of around £40million to sanction his departure.
While there is likely a bit of wiggle room on that asking price, it does certainly limit the amount of clubs that could make a move for Kelleher over the coming months.
Nottingham Forest are one to watch having had a bid rejected for him back in January, with there also being a couple of other potential options in the Premier League depending on goalkeeper situations elsewhere.
Possible destinations: Nottingham Forest, Wolves, Newcastle United
Sammie Szmodics (Blackburn Rovers)
Sammie Szmodics had a remarkable season at Blackburn Rovers. Despite playing in a struggling team, he would net 33 goals in all competitions and top the Championship scoring charts.
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At 28-years old, he needs to make the most of that momentum by finding a move elsewhere this summer.
Blackburn are understandably keen to keep him, with an asking price of around £20million said to have been quoted to interested clubs. Still, you would image that a compromise of a slightly lower fee could be agreed.
The trio of Brentford, Luton Town, and Galatasaray have all been linked with Szmodics in recent times, with his list of interested clubs only likely to grow in the coming weeks.
Possible destinations: Brentford, Luton Town, Galatasaray
Mark Travers (Bournemouth)
It is not unreasonable to say that Mark Travers has been messed around somewhat by Bournemouth over the last couple of seasons.
He fell down the pecking order at the club after the arrival of Brazil international Neto, being sent out on loan on a couple of occasions. However, both of those spells were cut short when Bournemouth asked him to return as injury cover. What usually followed was long spells of the Irishman playing no first team football.
Travers should look to move on this summer, with consistent playing time a priority at this stage in his career. Crystal Palace and Celtic have been linked with him in recent days, while promotion chasing Sunderland could also be in the market for a goalkeeper if Premier League interest in their no. 1 Anthony Patterson is followed up this summer.
Possible destinations: Crystal Palace, Celtic, Sunderland
Mikey Johnston (Celtic)
Mikey Johnston made a huge impact during his loan spell at West Brom in the second half of the season, almost helping the club to promotion to the Premier League.
He could look to make another go of it at Celtic next season, although it seems clear that Brendan Rodgers does not see him as an integral part of his plans.
West Brom would surely be interested in making his move a permanent one, while other top Championship clubs are also likely to be monitoring the situation.
Possible destinations: West Brom, Middlesbrough, Norwich City
Michael Obafemi (Burnley)
Every time that Michael Obafemi’s career looks as though it will take off, he suffers some form of setback.
His move to Burnley has not paid dividends, with the player suffering a dip in form due to a mixture of injury problems and lack of playing time.
He did okay on loan at Millwall this season, and while he could go back to Burnley after their relegation, he may be better off making a move elsewhere in order to get back to his best.
Obafemi would have no shortage of interest from Championship clubs should he move on this summer.
Possible destinations: Millwall, Sunderland, West Brom
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