The three Irish players that need to move by the end of the transfer window

Rory Fleming

Moves to new clubs are needed by these three to boost their hopes of involvement under Stephen Kenny.

English domestic football returned on Friday evening with Gavin Bazunu’s Southampton securing a domineering 2-1 away win over Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship, with time now ticking on much-needed transfers for a number of Irish players.

A number of Irish stars have already secured high profile moves this summer, with defensive duo Dara O’Shea and Nathan Collins securing Premier League moves to the likes of Burnley and Brentford respectively.

Yesterday also saw the news that Irish stalwart James McClean would be departing Wigan Athletic and joining Football League new boys Wrexham, famously owned by the Hollywood pairing of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

With the transfer window due to shut in just a matter of weeks, these three Irish players must now follow suit and secure transfers of their own if they are to boost their chances of involvement in Ireland’s upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers.

Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher is one of three Irish players who must secure moves away this month. (Credit: Getty Images)

The three Irish players that need to move this month:

Caoimhin Kelleher:

Now 24 years of age, the time is right for the Liverpool goalkeeper to finally depart Merseyside.

Having been at the club for almost decade, the Cork native has proved himself more than capable with a string of memorable domestic cup and European performances.

However, with one of the best goalkeepers in the world in Alisson in front of him, the league minutes he needs to further develop and apply real pressure to the incumbent Irish number one Gavin Bazunu will simply not materialise.

The likes of Brentford and Wolves were both linked with moves for Kelleher earlier this summer, and if he does hold real aspirations of becoming a mainstay between the posts for his country, the time to move on from Anfield is now, as difficult as that may be.

Troy Parrott is yet to secure a move away from Spurs this summer. (Credit: Getty Images)

Troy Parrott:

At one point viewed as Ireland’s Robbie Keane replacement, Parrott has struggled to live up to expectations since breaking on to the scene and making his Premier League debut at 17 for Tottenham.

Since that debut in 2019 though, the 21-year-old has only played once more for Spurs in the league, and endured a run of four loan spells which have seen him net just 13 league goals over the course of three seasons.

Glimpses of his undoubted potential can still be seen at times, with his performance for the Boys in Green against Scotland last summer a particular highlight.

A move away from Spurs is a necessity for Parrott this summer, with the likes of Evan Ferguson, Michael Obafemi and Chiedozie Ogbene all set for Premier League action this year, he must receive regular time in the Championship at the very least if he is to compete for a place in Stephen Kenny’s squads.

Hendrick still has a year remaining on his Newcastle deal but has been frozen out by Eddie Howe. (Credit: Getty Images)

Jeff Hendrick:

Somewhat amazingly, Hendrick finds himself at Champions League side Newcastle United with just a week before the new Premier League gets underway.

However, having not featured for the Magpies in over 18 months and being frozen out following the arrival of Eddie Howe as head coach, there is little to no chance of the 31-year-old lining out at St. James Park this season.

On loan at Reading last season, Hendrick played in all but one of the Championship side’s 46 league fixtures, but their eventual relegation due to a points deduction saw any hopes of a permanent transfer fall through.

Now replaced by Josh Cullen at the base of the Ireland midfield, if Hendrick is to add to his current tally of 79 Irish caps, an end of the window departure from Tyneside should be viewed as a necessity.

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