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Is Richard Dunne set for a move to Bolton? Nick Potts/PA Archive/Press Association Images
Pastures new

Irish on the move this January: the possible, the probable and the definite

Several Irish players are likely to leave their clubs during the January window.

The possible

Richard Dunne to Bolton

With Gary Cahill set to move to Chelsea, rumours are circulating that Owen Coyle will look to sign the Aston Villa man as a replacement. With or without Cahill, Bolton could certainly do with a defender of Dunne’s calibre, as they currently possess the second worst defensive record in the Premier League.

Karl Sheppard to Reading

The Shamrock Rovers striker was one of the standout players in the club’s Europa League campaign and consequently, talk of a move to Reading is unsurprising, with rumours indicating that a deal could be finalised as early as this week.

The probable:

Sean St Ledger to Celtic

St Ledger looks almost certain to move after falling out of favour at his current club Leicester, with long-term admirers Celtic the most likely destination. The club’s manager Nigel Pearson is quoted as saying: “St Ledger has also been put on the transfer list. I would like to get things done quickly but it is not as easy as people expect.”

Keith Andrews to Aston Villa/Everton

The star has impressed while on loan at Ipswich to such an extent that he has attracted interest from other Premier League clubs including Aston Villa and Everton, despite being deemed surplus to requirements at Blackburn. Speaking recently about the prospect of a transfer, Andrews admitted that his Blackburn career was over, but denied that a Premier League move was a formality: “It’s best for both parties that I move on. The most important thing for me is that I’m wanted. It’s not all about the Premier League for me.”

Robbie Keane to Aston Villa

As was reported earlier today, Keane looks set for a loan move to Villa. While their manager Alex McLeish has refused to comment on the matter and Keane had previously insisted he would use his two-month MLS break to rest ahead of Ireland’s vital Euro 2012 games this summer, the move seemingly makes sense for both parties with Keane in need of more game time and Villa desperate for an out-and-out goalscorer to play alongside Darren Bent.

The definite:

Rory Donnelly to Swansea

Donnelly reportedly turned down both Everton and Liverpool to sign for Swansea after being impressed by Swansea manager and fellow Northern Irishman Brendan Rodgers. If the striker’s form for Cliftonville is anything to go by, the club’s fans could be in for a treat.

Enda Stevens to Aston Villa

The young left-back impressed during the early stages of Shamrock Rovers’ European campaign this season, so much so that he secured a lucrative move to Aston Villa. Nonetheless, the 21-year-old will need to continue to surpass expectations to dislodge Stephen Warnock, who has been in decent form this season, from the club’s left-back spot.

Read: Irish Eye: Stokes scorcher ensures Celtic stay top>

Read: The Departures Lounge: your very first lunchtime transfer round-up of 2012>


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