1. Eunan O’Kane
ACCORDING TO REPORTS, both Wigan and Leeds have had bids of around £600,000 (€700,000) rejected for O’Kane, with Bournemouth holding out for a bigger fee. The 26-year-old Derry native has yet to play for the Cherries this season, and so it looks like he needs a move to secure first-team football.
2. James McCarthy
Recent reports have indicated that James McCarthy has asked for a transfer away from Everton, with new boss Ronald Koeman seeming to prefer Gareth Barry and Idrissa Gueye in central midfield. Celtic, Crystal Palace, Newcastle and Sunderland have been among the clubs linked with a move for the £20 million-rated (€23 million)
25-year-old Irish international, but a groin injury and the possibility of surgery has further complicated matters in recent days.
3. Leon Best
With Daryl Murphy’s move to Newcastle confirmed earlier, Ipswich now need a replacement for the Waterford native, with another Irish striker, David McGoldrick, not expected to return from injury for the Tractor Boys until November. 29-year-old Best is currently a free agent, after failing to agree a new contract with Rotherham in the summer, and Mick McCarthy has indicated he is currently weighing up whether to sign the Nottingham-born attacker.
4. Alan Judge
Judge seemed destined for a move to a bigger club, after 15 goals and 11 assists earned him a Championship Player of the Year nomination last season. However, the Dublin-born midfielder has not played for Brentford since last April, after suffering a leg break, and he is still not expected to return to action until October at the earliest. Nevertheless, the injury problems haven’t put off Newcastle, who are understood to be still negotiating with the Bees on a fee for Judge.
5. Jeff Hendrick
Hendrick, who was so impressive for Ireland at Euro 2016, has had a frustrating start to the season in the Championship. Injury troubles have meant the 24-year-old midfielder has completed 90 minutes just once for Derby this season, with the player also a serious doubt for Ireland’s World Cup qualifier against Serbia next week. However, Hendrick’s performances at the Euros attracted Premier League interest, and the latest reports indicate that Hull are lining up a £7 million (€8.2 million) bid for the player.
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
