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Ireland's next generation: Euro 2016 stars linked with big moves this summer

Improving job prospects is not the goal of international tournaments, but Euro 2016 is a prime ve...



Ireland's next generation:...
Soccer

Ireland's next generation: Euro 2016 stars linked with big moves this summer

Improving job prospects is not the goal of international tournaments, but Euro 2016 is a prime venue for professional footballers to express themselves and elicit admiration from top flight coaches.

Robbie Brady seems poised to move club while Darren Randolph, Ciaran Clark and Jeff Hendrick could also be on the move as their stock inflated in France this June.

Here are a list of other players we are likely to be seeing plenty of next season in the Premier League:

Jeff Hendrick

Arguably Ireland's best performer at Euro 2016, Hendrick displayed poise and panache in equal measure as he led Ireland in most of their meaningful attacks against Italy and France. 

Hendrick has been linked with a move to Crystal Palace, Middlesbrough and Hull City along with Galatasaray but has two years to run on his contract with Derby County and would likely command a fee in the region of €2.5 million.

Based on what we saw from the Dubliner at the Euros, he certainly has what it takes to excel in a central role for a Premier League club and with Derby seemingly destined to languish in the Championship forever, now is as good a time as any for the former St.Kevin's Boys star to make the move.

Robbie Brady

In case you weren't aware, Ireland don't tend to score too many goals at major competitions. That's what makes Robbie Brady's two in two against Italy and France so impressive.

While it seemed Brady's stock could not get any higher after his marvelous header against Italy to put Ireland into the last 16, he slotted home a penalty after just two minutes against France three days later.

The former Manchester United player has been linked heavily with a move to Leicester and the reported fee is in the region of €15 million. 

Southampton, Stoke and West Brom have also been mentioned as possible destinations for the fiery winger with an eye for goal and a killer left-foot. The 24-year-old played in 36 games for Norwich last season and scored three goals along with two assists.

Shane Duffy

Blackburn Rovers defender, Duffy, was drafted into Martin O'Neill's starting eleven due to fatigue and poor performances against Belgium. While he looked a little shaky against Italy, the 24-year-old held his own and repelled the Azzurri attack for 90+ minutes.

He has been linked with a move to the Premier League with Alan Pardew looking to reinforce his defence ahead of the new season. Pardew has just Scott Dann and Damien Delaney as options in the centre of his defence and adding Duffy would seem a viable option given his age, performances in the grueling Championship last year and how well he did in France when thrown in at the deep end.

Darren Randolph

Randolph was vital in Ireland's successful bid to qualify for the Euros and was instrumental in their win over Italy and the drawn game against Sweden.

He is currently locked in a battle for West Ham's number one shirt with Adrian but it does seem that Slaven Bilic prefers the Spanish shotstopper to Randolph. 

The Bray-born 29-year-old was linked with a move to Everton but that appears to have fallen through. Given his form at the Euros and the exposure from the tournament, he might not be sitting on West Ham's bench next year, however.

The club are willing to sell him provided another team is willing to depart with the £3 million valuation of the player.

Ciaran Clark

Clark's club side, Aston Villa, were relegated from the Premier League last year and the Irish defender said he had a brief chat with the club's new manager Roberto di Matteo before the tournament.

Reports have circulated linking the centre-half with a move to West Brom, however, who might be keen to activate his £5 million release clause.

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