The holder of Everton’s Premier League appearance record, the full-back would offer plenty of experience to a new team.
On the other hand, in the last three seasons, he has had injury problems and has made just 22 top-flight appearances.
So that record might put some doubt in prospective buyers. Wrexham and Sheffield United were among the clubs linked with Coleman during the summer, though the latter’s subsequent recruitment of international teammate Matt Doherty would appear to rule them out of the race.
In addition, as Coleman is a free agent, he can still move outside the transfer window, so it won’t be a disaster if he is still officially without a club come next Wednesday morning.
2. Robbie Brady
Another player on the lookout for a new club after being released by Preston at the end of last season.
Like Coleman, Brady has been hampered by recurring injury problems over the past few years.
All five of his Championship appearances for the Lilywhites last season were from the bench.
He is still a valued squad member for Ireland, coming on as a substitute in the Czech Republic playoff last March.
But Brady will need regular football in the Championship or a top European league to stay in Heimir Hallgrímsson’s thoughts, yet it’s been quiet so far on that front.
3. Mikey Johnston
Came close to joining Brazilian side Flamengo in a £5 million (€5.84 million) move last summer before it fell through at the last moment after a fan backlash.
That turned out to be a blessing in disguise for West Brom, as the winger stayed and played a significant part in their successful fight against relegation, making 25 Championship appearances before an injury in the second half of the season ruled him out for the final few months of the campaign.
West Brom boss James Morrison said an injury was the reason the Ireland international missed Saturday’s win over Burnley, but Championship rivals Derby County have been linked with a move for the 27-year-old ahead of the transfer deadline.
4. Evan Ferguson
Ferguson has not played for Brighton since February 2025, so it would be a surprise if he re-establishes himself as a regular there, particularly owing to the club’s recent signing of Canada international Promise David from Union SG on a season-long loan, with an obligation to buy for a reported fee of £22 million (€25.68 million).
The Meath native only showed glimpses of his best form on loan at Roma last season, where he managed three goals in 16 Serie A appearances before an injury put paid to that stint.
Whoever Ferguson joins, he will not be available immediately – the striker has still not fully recovered from the ankle injury suffered last season, with his return set for October.
5. Chiedozie Ogbene
Ipswich Town’s Chiedozie Ogbene during a pre-season friendly. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
Unfortunately, Ogbene’s move to Ipswich Town hasn’t really worked out. He joined the club for £8 million (€9.34 million) in August 2024, but an injury-interrupted spell has seen him make only seven league appearances since then.
The former Cork City youngster only fared slightly better on loan at Sheffield United last season, making 13 Championship appearances, eight of which were starts.
He did not make the matchday squad for Ipswich’s Premier League opener against Sunderland at the weekend, with John Eustace’s Derby among the clubs reportedly interested in a late swoop for the 29-year-old.
6. Gavin Bazunu
Bazunu looks surplus to requirements at Southampton.
The goalkeeper has not appeared in any of their matchday squads this season, and last appeared for the Saints on 4 January.
Since then, the Dubliner has spent time on loan at Stoke City, though injury limited him to six appearances for the Potters.
Celtic and Derby County are among the potential destinations for the 24-year-old as he looks to rejuvenate his career.
7. Will Ferry
After two impressive seasons at Dundee United, Ferry is attracting interest from elsewhere.
United accepted a £1.7 million (€1.98 million) offer from Sigma Olomouc earlier in the window, but the player – who is out of contract next summer – turned down a move to the Czech side.
Celtic and Belgian side Anderlecht are reportedly interested in the ex-Southampton youngster who made his Ireland senior debut against Grenada last May and could easily become a more prominent member of Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side.
8. Will Smallbone
Another player who has had a difficult few years owing to injury.
Midfield is Ireland’s most problematic area, and a fit Smallbone has as good a chance as anyone of establishing himself in the team.
The 26-year-old made 43 Championship appearances for Southampton as recently as the 2023-24 campaign, but since then, his game time has been limited.
The Basingstoke-born footballer played 18 times in the Premier League for the Saints the season before last, but only managed 10 appearances on loan at Millwall in the 2025-26 campaign.
After ending an 18-year association with Southampton this summer, he is unlikely to be short of offers, with Burnley, Stoke City and West Brom all reportedly in the frame to sign Smallbone.
9. Johnny Kenny
After being allowed to leave Celtic on loan last season, Kenny had an impactful spell in League One with Bolton, scoring in five consecutive appearances in April, before an injury ruled him out of the end-of-season run-in.
Back at Celtic, the striker was on the bench for their Champions League win over LASK earlier this month, but he may be set for another switch.
Bolton boss Steven Schumacher has suggested he would be open to welcoming the player back following their promotion to the Championship.
Alex Gilbert is among the players on the lookout for a new club. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
Another who is on the free agent list, Gilbert made 21 Championship appearances for Middlesbrough last season and 47 overall as the club fell narrowly short in their bid to secure Premier League football.
But the 24-year-old never really felt like more than a squad player on Teeside.
Gilbert helped Charlton gain promotion from League One via the playoffs the season before last, and a return to that level could be on the cards.
11. Shane Duffy
After leaving Norwich during the summer, Duffy joined the Irish contingent of free agents.
Earlier this year, there was talk of the 34-year-old following in the footsteps of former Irish teammate James McClean and joining Derry City.
But that move has failed to materialise, and there has been little indication of where the experienced centre-half will end up next.
12. Darragh Lenihan
Another Irish player released by Middlesbrough this summer. At his best, Lenihan was considered one of the top Championship defenders.
But the Meath native has had a nightmare past few years.
Injuries have limited the Ireland international to 12 senior appearances since the start of the 2023-24 campaign, later admitting he considered retirement amid this long, frustrating spell.
Irish teammate John Egan, now a Premier League player with Hull, has shown it is possible to come back and thrive after a lengthy spell out.
If the 32-year-old can find the right club and get a run of games together, he has the talent to continue at a good level for another few seasons.
Lenihan was back at his former club Blackburn at the weekend as they acknowledged his past contribution to the club. But it’s been quiet so far as regards where his future lies.
13. Jake O’Brien
One of the few players on this list likely to attract a considerable sum of money should he move.
The Athletic report that Everton are likely to “listen to offers” for the 25-year-old.
The Corkonian made 37 Premier League appearances for the Toffees last season; however, the majority of those were as a makeshift right-back.
In future, O’Brien is understood to be keen to play regularly in his preferred centre-half position.
He was an unused sub in Everton’s Premier League opener, a 2-0 win against Crystal Palace at the weekend, with Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski preferred in the centre and Merlin Rohl deployed at right-back.
Clubs in England, Italy and France are monitoring the situation.
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13 Irish players who could be on the move ahead of Deadline Day next week
1. Seamus Coleman
Still without a club after ending his 17-year stint at Everton last season. The 37-year-old has recently been training with local Gaelic football side Killybegs as he looks for a new club.
The holder of Everton’s Premier League appearance record, the full-back would offer plenty of experience to a new team.
On the other hand, in the last three seasons, he has had injury problems and has made just 22 top-flight appearances.
So that record might put some doubt in prospective buyers. Wrexham and Sheffield United were among the clubs linked with Coleman during the summer, though the latter’s subsequent recruitment of international teammate Matt Doherty would appear to rule them out of the race.
In addition, as Coleman is a free agent, he can still move outside the transfer window, so it won’t be a disaster if he is still officially without a club come next Wednesday morning.
2. Robbie Brady
Another player on the lookout for a new club after being released by Preston at the end of last season.
Like Coleman, Brady has been hampered by recurring injury problems over the past few years.
All five of his Championship appearances for the Lilywhites last season were from the bench.
He is still a valued squad member for Ireland, coming on as a substitute in the Czech Republic playoff last March.
But Brady will need regular football in the Championship or a top European league to stay in Heimir Hallgrímsson’s thoughts, yet it’s been quiet so far on that front.
3. Mikey Johnston
Came close to joining Brazilian side Flamengo in a £5 million (€5.84 million) move last summer before it fell through at the last moment after a fan backlash.
That turned out to be a blessing in disguise for West Brom, as the winger stayed and played a significant part in their successful fight against relegation, making 25 Championship appearances before an injury in the second half of the season ruled him out for the final few months of the campaign.
West Brom boss James Morrison said an injury was the reason the Ireland international missed Saturday’s win over Burnley, but Championship rivals Derby County have been linked with a move for the 27-year-old ahead of the transfer deadline.
4. Evan Ferguson
Ferguson has not played for Brighton since February 2025, so it would be a surprise if he re-establishes himself as a regular there, particularly owing to the club’s recent signing of Canada international Promise David from Union SG on a season-long loan, with an obligation to buy for a reported fee of £22 million (€25.68 million).
The Meath native only showed glimpses of his best form on loan at Roma last season, where he managed three goals in 16 Serie A appearances before an injury put paid to that stint.
Sky Sports have reported that another loan stint could be on the cards, with Serie A side Genoa willing to cover 30% of his wages.
Whoever Ferguson joins, he will not be available immediately – the striker has still not fully recovered from the ankle injury suffered last season, with his return set for October.
5. Chiedozie Ogbene
Unfortunately, Ogbene’s move to Ipswich Town hasn’t really worked out. He joined the club for £8 million (€9.34 million) in August 2024, but an injury-interrupted spell has seen him make only seven league appearances since then.
The former Cork City youngster only fared slightly better on loan at Sheffield United last season, making 13 Championship appearances, eight of which were starts.
He did not make the matchday squad for Ipswich’s Premier League opener against Sunderland at the weekend, with John Eustace’s Derby among the clubs reportedly interested in a late swoop for the 29-year-old.
6. Gavin Bazunu
Bazunu looks surplus to requirements at Southampton.
The goalkeeper has not appeared in any of their matchday squads this season, and last appeared for the Saints on 4 January.
Since then, the Dubliner has spent time on loan at Stoke City, though injury limited him to six appearances for the Potters.
Celtic and Derby County are among the potential destinations for the 24-year-old as he looks to rejuvenate his career.
7. Will Ferry
After two impressive seasons at Dundee United, Ferry is attracting interest from elsewhere.
Manager Jim Goodwin has hailed the 25-year-old as the “outstanding left-back in the country” as the club looks to keep hold of their prized asset.
United accepted a £1.7 million (€1.98 million) offer from Sigma Olomouc earlier in the window, but the player – who is out of contract next summer – turned down a move to the Czech side.
Celtic and Belgian side Anderlecht are reportedly interested in the ex-Southampton youngster who made his Ireland senior debut against Grenada last May and could easily become a more prominent member of Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side.
8. Will Smallbone
Another player who has had a difficult few years owing to injury.
Midfield is Ireland’s most problematic area, and a fit Smallbone has as good a chance as anyone of establishing himself in the team.
The 26-year-old made 43 Championship appearances for Southampton as recently as the 2023-24 campaign, but since then, his game time has been limited.
The Basingstoke-born footballer played 18 times in the Premier League for the Saints the season before last, but only managed 10 appearances on loan at Millwall in the 2025-26 campaign.
After ending an 18-year association with Southampton this summer, he is unlikely to be short of offers, with Burnley, Stoke City and West Brom all reportedly in the frame to sign Smallbone.
9. Johnny Kenny
After being allowed to leave Celtic on loan last season, Kenny had an impactful spell in League One with Bolton, scoring in five consecutive appearances in April, before an injury ruled him out of the end-of-season run-in.
Back at Celtic, the striker was on the bench for their Champions League win over LASK earlier this month, but he may be set for another switch.
Bolton boss Steven Schumacher has suggested he would be open to welcoming the player back following their promotion to the Championship.
The player himself has indicated he is still hopeful of earning a more regular place with the Scottish champions.
10. Alex Gilbert
Another who is on the free agent list, Gilbert made 21 Championship appearances for Middlesbrough last season and 47 overall as the club fell narrowly short in their bid to secure Premier League football.
But the 24-year-old never really felt like more than a squad player on Teeside.
Gilbert helped Charlton gain promotion from League One via the playoffs the season before last, and a return to that level could be on the cards.
11. Shane Duffy
After leaving Norwich during the summer, Duffy joined the Irish contingent of free agents.
Earlier this year, there was talk of the 34-year-old following in the footsteps of former Irish teammate James McClean and joining Derry City.
But that move has failed to materialise, and there has been little indication of where the experienced centre-half will end up next.
12. Darragh Lenihan
Another Irish player released by Middlesbrough this summer. At his best, Lenihan was considered one of the top Championship defenders.
But the Meath native has had a nightmare past few years.
Injuries have limited the Ireland international to 12 senior appearances since the start of the 2023-24 campaign, later admitting he considered retirement amid this long, frustrating spell.
Irish teammate John Egan, now a Premier League player with Hull, has shown it is possible to come back and thrive after a lengthy spell out.
If the 32-year-old can find the right club and get a run of games together, he has the talent to continue at a good level for another few seasons.
Lenihan was back at his former club Blackburn at the weekend as they acknowledged his past contribution to the club. But it’s been quiet so far as regards where his future lies.
13. Jake O’Brien
One of the few players on this list likely to attract a considerable sum of money should he move.
The Athletic report that Everton are likely to “listen to offers” for the 25-year-old.
The Corkonian made 37 Premier League appearances for the Toffees last season; however, the majority of those were as a makeshift right-back.
In future, O’Brien is understood to be keen to play regularly in his preferred centre-half position.
He was an unused sub in Everton’s Premier League opener, a 2-0 win against Crystal Palace at the weekend, with Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski preferred in the centre and Merlin Rohl deployed at right-back.
Clubs in England, Italy and France are monitoring the situation.
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