James Abankwah is in Italy for a medical ahead of a move to Udinese that will bank St Pat’s a considerable six-figure sum.
The St Pat’s defender is poised to complete the surprise switch to the Serie A side before being loaned back to the Saints until the summer.
And Mirror Sport understands that FAI Cup holders are also poised to land West Ham goalkeeper Joseph Anang on loan ahead of the new season.
St Pat’s will receive a large six-figure fee from Udinese for Abankwah, who is one of the league’s top prospects.
It comfortably eclipses the €150,000 that Celtic paid Sligo Rovers for Johnny Kenny, with scope to at least double that.
Udinese first flagged their interest during the course of last season, but negotiations suddenly escalated since last week.
Abankwah, 18, travelled to Italy this week to finalise the move which was first flagged by Italian media this afternoon.
He signed for St Pat’s - who sold Glory Nzingo to French side Reims last summer - three years ago and made his first-team debut in the FAI Cup in August, making 13 appearances last year.
Meanwhile, the Saints are closing in on a loan move for West Ham goalkeeper Anang as they try to plug the gap left by Vítězslav Jaroš’ return to Liverpool.
Jaros was a revelation for St Pat’s last season and bowed out with a starring role in their FAI Cup final success over Bohemians.
Anang, 21, has been with West Ham since 2017 and spent the first half of this season on loan at League Two Stevenage, making 18 appearances.
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