Jeff Hendrick’s performances in the European Championships have created interest in the player from the Premier League and beyond.
So far only Burnley have shown their hand. They made an initial bid of £3 million which many considered a bit low given Hendrick’s displays in France.
Burnley manager Sean Dyche is a big fan of Hendrick’s however and he will want to get a player he believes could be central to keeping the newly promoted club in the Premier League.
They are expected to come back with a new bid, but a lot depends on what Derby County want.
Derby might have been prepared to sell for around £4 million before the Euros, but Hendrick’s performances in France have increased his value.
Hendrick is back training with his club this week, even if he has been staying fit during the summer.
Multi-talented @JeffHendrick92 trains with mixed martial arts star in International Rules jersey 🏋🏼 https://t.co/rUBJVnLKQX
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) July 14, 2016
Derby may decide the player is not for sale at any price and the player would then be happy to stay.
But Derby could also feel the time is right to let a player who has come through the ranks achieve his dream of playing in the Premier League.
Burnley are the only club to have made a bid so far, but they are not the only Premier League club believed to be interested.
SportsJOE understands that Sunderland and Middlesbrough may also enter the race once they have an idea what kind of fee is acceptable to Derby.
This is where it gets more complicated. Sunderland is a club which would be attractive to Hendrick, but they could be about to lose Sam Allardyce to England.
The England job is no longer impossible. Compared to the Premier League, it might even be easy, says @dionfanning https://t.co/H2AC0LJPgm
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) July 13, 2016
Given the club’s flirtations with relegation over the years, a managerless Sunderland would be less attractive, so the Ireland midfielder might wait and see what decision the FA make.
If they appoint Allardyce, then Sunderland’s choice of replacement will be key. This is where it gets complicated.
David Moyes is the favourite to take over at Sunderland if Big Sam leaves, but there is another contender who could influence Hendrick’s thinking.
Burnley manager Sean Dyche is second-favourite to take over at the Stadium of Light. If he got that job, Sunderland could step up their interest in Hendrick.
Equally Hendrick might not want to go to Burnley if there’s a chance Dyche could be joining Sunderland.
So the FA’s choice for England manager will have a bearing on the future career of one of Ireland’s most talented midfielders. Certainly, it might have to play out first, given the possible implications for clubs interested in Hendrick.
It could all be resolved before the Championship begins on the first weekend in August. But that depends on how quickly the FA get their business done.
If they give the job to Steve Bruce then all bets are off.
https://soundcloud.com/user-787320910/the-gaa-hour-with-colm-parkinson-tyrone-and-galway-are-back-but-these-dubs-are-not-going-away
