Yesterday, Ireland assistant manager, Roy Keane and high performance director, Ruud Dokter, unveiled the newly formed U17 League which is hoping to bridge the gap between League of Ireland and schoolboy football.
A positive step, no doubt, and may ensure that more Irish players stay in the country to ply their trade. Players like Robbie Brady.
It has just be announced today that the Ireland international will remain in the Premier League after completing his £7m move from Hull.
He will join newly promoted Norwich, who are aiming to remain in the Premier League after being relegated from England’s top flight two seasons ago.
Norwich have also done another shrewd bit of business, close to signing Liverpool’s Andre Wisdom on a season-long loan.
A second Irish player who may be on the move is Everton’s James McCarthy.
According to the Mirror, Tottenham have opened talks to bring the 24-year-old to White Hart Lane.
The report suggests that McCarthy is hoping for an improved contract and may go farther afield in search of it.
McCarthy isn’t the only player Spurs have been linked with today. Mauricio Pochettino has also been linked with United duo Javier Hernandez and Ashley Young.
Hernandez may be surplus to requirements in the new look Manchester United attacking system and Young is still waiting on a new contract, so there may still be legs to this one.
To facilitate these new arrivals, Emmanuel Adebayor may be on his way out of the club, with all signs pointing to the midlands.
Aston Villa are keen to snap up the Togo striker and the 31-year-old may be set to reunite with former boss Tim Sherwood.
Pochettino’s former club Southampton have also been decisive in the transfer market.
Hoping to build on the success of last year, Ronald Koeman has secured the services to Steven Caulker from QPR on a season-long loan.
Mario Balotelli may be on his way back to Italy, as Liverpool try to recover just under half of the money they sent on the striker.
They are demanding £7.1m from Sampdoria for the 24-year-old, but president Massimo Ferrero is likely to hold out for a better option.
And to round off today’s transfer gossip, Abou Diaby (yes, he does still play football) is hoping to reignite his career with French Ligue 1 side, Marseille.
The 29-year-old join the 4th ranked team in the league and has only made two appearances for Arsenal in the last two seasons.
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
