Here Are 7 Irish Players That Need A Transfer This Summer

Here Are 7 Irish Players That Need A Transfer This Summer

Gary Connaughton By Gary Connaughton

The transfer window has very much kicked into gear, with a number of Irish players already making eye-catching moves.

Gavin Bazunu's transfer to Southampton has dominated the headlines thus far, but he is unlikely to be the only Ireland international to switch clubs in the weeks and months ahead.

Some look likely to move down a level, while others will be looking to take the next step in their careers. Who should be looking for a move this summer?

One thing to note here is that we are only dealing with players who should seek a permanent move from their club. The likes of Troy Parrott and Gavin Kilkenny look likely to sign for other clubs on loan this summer but have not been included.

With that in mind, here are seven players that could do with a move in the current transfer window.

Irish player that need a transfer this summer

Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion)

For a while there last season, it looked as though Shane Duffy was about to experience a renaissance in his Brighton career. Coming back from a difficult loan spell at Celtic, he would put in some fantastic performances for Graham Potter's side at the start of the campaign.

However, playing time was increasingly difficult to come by as the season went on. It is clear that Duffy will not be a regular starter for the club moving forward, something he needs at this stage of his career.

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The Derry native needs to move to a club where a place in the team is a near certainty, even if that means dropping down the the Championship. With plenty of competition in the Ireland squad at centre back, he could quickly find himself out of the team is he is not featuring regularly at club level next season.

Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United)

Jeff Hendrick played little part at Newcastle during the first half of last season, and while it was hoped a loan move to QPR would help him rediscover his form, he hardly featured for the Championship club in the latter stages of the campaign.

It is clear his future lies away from St James' Park, although where he he ends up remains to be seen. A move down a division seems all but certain as it would be surprising to see a Premier League club come in for him considering his lack of production over the last couple of seasons.

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Either way, it's clear he needs to get far more playing time. At 30-years old, he still has plenty of time to get his club career back on track.

Conor Coventry (West Ham United)

Conor Coventry has had a number of loan moves in recent seasons, with his switch to MK Dons for the second half of last season proving to be a very successful one.

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He is now at the stage of his career where a bit more certainty about his long-term future is needed, meaning a permanent move away from the London Stadium would make sense for all parties. With only 12 months remaining on his deal, this will be West Ham's final opportunity to recoup a fee for their youth product.

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As for Coventry, he could welcome the chance to finally kickstart his first team career. Josh Cullen was in a similar spot a couple of years ago but has become a key player for Ireland after his move to Anderlecht. His former teammate should consider a similar approach.

Nathan Collins (Burnley)

Whereas most of the player mentioned in this list so far look likely to drop down a division, Nathan Collins has the opposite issue. He showed during his only season at Burnley that he is more than capable of performing in the Premier League, with a number of clubs interested in his services after the Clarets' relegation.

Burnley will not let him leave on the cheap, with the club rumoured to be seeking a fee in the region of £40million to sell him this summer. Leicester City and Wolves are thought to be leading the race for his signature, both of whom would be good fits for a player that looks set to go right to the top of the game.

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At 21-years old, he should not accept another season in the Championship.

Aaron Connolly (Birghton & Hove Albion)

Aaron Connolly's career has really taken a backwards step over the last 18 months. Having once looked set to star for both Brighton and Ireland, he has fallen out of favour with both sides in recent times.

His loan spell at Middlesbrough was not the success that many hoped it would be, meaning it looks highly unlikely he will be given much playing time at his parent club next season.

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Should he look to leave on a permanent basis? Michael Obafemi found himself in a comparable position at Southampton prior to his move to Swansea City, but has since gone on to completely rejuvenate his career. That is a template Connolly should look to follow.

Jason Knight (Derby County)

Jason Knight won't be in League One next season. The midfielder is all but certain to leave Derby County, who will want to get a fair deal for the player despite their obvious financial struggles.

A Premier League move looks like a real possibility for the Dubliner. The likes of Crystal Palace, Wolves, Leeds, and Everton have all been linked with Knight at various stages over the last 12 months or so.

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Any of those sides would be an ideal fit for a player who looks primed to take his game to the next level. Considering Derby's money issues mean he will be available below market rate, whatever club does sign him is likely to end up with a real bargain on their hands in the seasons ahead.

John Egan (Sheffield United)

John Egan is a key man at Sheffield United, but he is reaching the stage in his career where he needs to consider moving elsewhere.

The club's failure to earn promotion to the Premier League leaves the defender in an awkward position. At 29-years old, this could be his final opportunity to earn a transfer to a club in the top flight. While he may opt to bide his time at Bramall Lane and push for promotion once again next season, the option of a transfer elsewhere really needs to be explored.

Having spent the early portions of his career in the lower leagues, he has plenty of lost time to make up for at the highest level. Egan certainly has the talent to be a top flight contributor.

SEE ALSO: Irish U21 Star Set To Join The League Of Ireland's Italian Exodus

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