As Friday night approached the end of the trading window, a third of the people from the 23-strong team Irish coach Heimir Hallgrímsson selected on the preceding Thursday could potentially have been pardoned for not fully dialing their attention towards the forthcoming Nations League matches against England and Greece, scheduled for next month. The reason being, they might all potentially still be trying to adjust to their new post-summer transfer homes, sifting through their life belongings and becoming acquainted with their new locales.
There’s speculation that the trio of Sammie Szmodics, Dara O’Shea, and Chiedozie Ogbene—who all now belong to Ipswich Town at a joint expense of €34 million—may find themselves competing on the same Suffolk residential property, causing the pricing to escalate.
Joining them on the team are the former Republic of Ireland under-21 player, Jack Taylor, and Marcus Harness who pledged his commitment to the Republic half a decade ago. The team is managed by none other than Fermanagh’s native Kieran McKenna. One might cheekily suggest turning Ipswich’s shirts from blue to the Irish green.
A major league switch for Szmodics always seemed a possibility, especially given that he was crowned highest goal scorer last season in the Championship representing Blackburn. Meanwhile, O’Shea and Ogbene rejoined league action quickly, having been dropped with Burnley and Luton. However, the upcoming season may present challenges for Ipswich, as it marks their first appearance on the highest platform in over 20 years.
Similarly, Everton may find the season demanding given how it has started. We all hope though, that Jake O’Brien from Cork won’t rue his decision to leave Lyon after demonstrating his skill set within 12 months of his transfer from Crystal Palace. Everton shelled out €19.5 million to secure the defender, who only recently made his senior Irish debut in June, thus rendering him the priciest senior Republic of Ireland representative in this summer’s transfer window.
The significant transfers involving Irish footballers in the Premier League included the full transfer of Adam Idah from Norwich to Celtic, where he previously had a successful loan term; Troy Parrott’s shift from Spurs to AZ Alkmaar, following his impressive 17-goal record at Excelsior Rotterdam on loan; and Mikey Johnston’s relocation to West Brom, which revitalised his stagnant career after a less successful loan period at Celtic.
The transfer window surprise was the 11.0 pm deadline confirmation that Caoimhín Kelleher would remain a Liverpool player. Despite a rejected offer from Nottingham Forest, and in the absence of a final-hour deal, Kelleher will continue as Alisson’s back-up for another season. The signing of Giorgi Mamardashvili, Georgia’s goalkeeper from Valencia, suggested it would likely be Kelleher’s last season at Liverpool, the club he joined nine years ago.
In a concerning development for two more of Hallgrímsson’s goalkeepers, injury-hampered Gavin Bazunu of Southampton and Bournemouth’s Mark Travers, their respective clubs made significant signings. Southampton acquired Aaron Ramsdale from Arsenal for approximately €30 million, while Bournemouth secured a loan deal for Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea, the world’s priciest goalkeeper (€85 million).
Speculation was rife that Chelsea might attempt to sign Evan Ferguson as alternative recruits Ivan Toney or Victor Osimhen might fall through. With the closing of the transfer window, it comes as a relief to many, putting an end to apprehension and speculation.
Summer transfer activities involving senior Republic of Ireland international players included Jake O’Brien’s transfer from Lyon to Everton (€19.5 million); Dara O’Shea’s move from Burnley to Ipswich (€14.2 million), and Sammie Szmodics’ shift from Blackburn to Ipswich (€10.6 million).
In recent football transfer news, Adam Idah has moved from Norwich to Celtic for €9.9 million. Chiedozie Ogbene has transferred from Luton to Ipswich for €9.5 million, while Troy Parrott has switched from Spurs to AZ Alkmaar for a sum of €8 million. Mikey Johnston has left Celtic to join West Brom for €3.5 million. Additionally, Sinclair Armstrong has went on to Bristol City from QPR for €3 million and West Ham’s Conor Coventry has moved to Charlton for €1.2 million. Alan Browne has made a free move from Preston to Sunderland, paralleled by Conor Hourihane’s move from Derby to Barnsley, also free. Furthermore, Leicester City’s Tom Cannon and Brighton’s Andy Moran have been loaned to Stoke City.