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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Oisin Doherty

Five Irish stars with big transfer decisions to make this summer

The transfer season is well and truly underway and a number of Irish talents like Festy Ebosele and James Abankwah already making moves to Serie A giants Udinese.

These won't be the only Irish players on the move this summer, with rumours running rampant that a number of stars in Stephen Kenny's Ireland squad are set to swap clubs over the next few weeks.

With that in mind, let's take a look at five Irish stars who could be wearing different colours when the new season begins at the beginning of August.

Aaron Connolly

Connolly has fallen out of favour with Ireland over the last 12 months (©INPHO/James Crombie)

So much was expected of Connolly when he burst onto the scene a la Micah Richards with a two goal salvo against Spurs back in 2019. Many expected the Galway man's career to explode and for Connolly to become a Premier League mainstay.

That hasn't happened. Connolly struggled for goals and game time over the next two years at Brighton, before eventually moving on loan to Middlesbrough in January 2022.

Connolly failed to spark at Boro and is set to return to Brighton after a paltry return of two goals in 20 games during his loan move. With Brighton likely to go into the market for a new striker this summer, Connolly's time on the coast may be at an end.

Gavin Bazunu

Gavin Bazunu (©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo)

What a whirlwind 18 months it's been for Gavin Bazunu. Plucked from relative obscurity, he has become Ireland's number one, starred on loan at Portsmouth this season and is on the wishlist for a number of clubs this summer.

And of course, there was this moment against Cristiano Ronaldo.

But where does Bazunu go from here? It seems unlikely that he will displace Ederson at City, not only because the Brazilian is one of the best in the world, but because Pep Guardiola has huge faith in him.

Bazunu is too good to be a number two, or even a number three behind Zac Steffan, which he may very well end up being if he stays at City. With a number of Premier League clubs like Southampton and Everton reportedly keeping an eye on the Dubliner, hopefully Bazunu will be playing regular top flight football in the near future.

Nathan Collins

Ireland’s Nathan Collins in action against Lithuania (©INPHO/Evan Treacy)

It's been a strange year for Nathan Collins. Individually, it's been excellent. The classy centre back has broken into the Burnley team, is a mainstay in Stephen Kenny's Ireland squads, picked up a man of the match award against Lithuania and was nominated for Premier League player of the month in April.

However, unless things change, he'll be plying his trade in the Championship next season.

It's unlikely that Collins will stay at Burnley. Not only because he's talented enough for the Premier League, but because of Burnley's financial situation.

And with clubs like Leeds and Newcastle reportedly interested in Collins, perhaps a second consecutive season in the Premier LEague isn't out of the question.

Jason Knight

Knight seems almost certain to depart The Rams before the end of the transfer window. Derby's financial situation means they will be desperate to part with their prized assets in an attempt to ease their financial concerns.

Make no mistake, Knight is a prized asset. Highly rated by Derby boss Wayne Rooney, Knight was famously handed the captains armband at Derby when he was just a teenager.

Once again, Leeds are rumoured to be keeping tabs on night. With Raphinha seemingly on his way out of Leeds, Knight would be a perfect fit for Jesse Marsch's high pressing style of play.

Caomhín Kelleher

Caoimhin Kelleher celebrates with the Carabao Cup trophy (Getty Images)

Kelleher finds himself in a similar position to Bazunu. Namely, backup to one of the top keepers in the world.

However, unlike Bazunu, Kelleher does get game time at Liverpool. Klopp frequently gives the Corkman opportunities in the cup competitions, with Kelleher starring as Liverpool won the Carabao Cup back in February.

Klopp clearly has faith in Kelleher, and shows no hesitation in playing the Irishman whenever Alisson is unavailable. But Kelleher surely wants to be a number one.

His decision is difficult. Either he stays with Liverpool and gets occasional small tastes of top level football. Or, he moves to a less successful club but plays regularly.

Tough choices. But, if he does choose to move on, there will be a litany of clubs desperate to make Kelleher their number one.

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