Shane Long to Liverpool or Spurs may be the most intriguing Irish transfer news of the day but in terms of likelihood, Alan Judge's possible move away from Brentford is significantly further down the tracks.
The attacking midfielder has been nothing short of superb for the London club this season and his performances have piqued the interests of quite a few of Brentford's Championship rivals. A scramble for Judge's signature had been expected heading into this window and Sheffield Wednesday duly kicked things off with a bid that fell significantly short of Brentford's valuation.
While Wednesday may have the funds for Judge, their outsider status in terms of promotion would almost certainly count against them. With that in mind however, Burnley's recently solidified interest has certainly increased the likelihood that Judge could make a big move ahead of his expected push for a Euro 2016 squad place.
With Burnley taking on Brentford in the Championship tonight, it's been confirmed that Sean Dyche's side had a bid for Judge rejected this week with Brentford manager Dean Smith stating that their valuation of the 27 year old had not been met.
The timing of the bid is also something which Smith addressed and it's fair to say that he's not exactly delighted with Burnley's conduct particularly after they signed Andre Gray in August just one day before taking on Brentford.
It can be unsettling but to a player like Alan Judge, he just gets on with his game. He's got a valuation to the football club, he knows that and he's been kept in the loop all along.
Maybe Burnley's timing's not right but it depends on how you look at it with a game on Friday against them.
It's thought that Brentford would settle for somewhere in the region of £8 million for Judge whom Martin O'Neill has already suggested will be given a chance in the March friendlies to prove whether he deserves a place in the Euro 2016 squad. Brentford are likely to offer Judge a new deal in the hope of keeping him at Griffin Park although with Burnley likely to return with a new bid and Sheffield Wednesday not out of the running yet, it may be difficult for them to hold on to the former Blackburn man.
