One step forward. Two steps back.
Martin O'Neill will be paying close attention to the English transfer market in the coming days and weeks, with several of his Ireland internationals set to switch clubs.
One deal that was confirmed, on Thursday, was Glenn Whelan's £1.25m transfer to Aston Villa from Stoke City. The midfielder will link up with John Terry in the Championship next season and try to help Steve Bruce to guide the Villains back to the Premier League.
https://twitter.com/stokecity/status/887975835680075776
Another couple of players that could be moving in the coming days are West Ham goalkeeper Darren Randolph and Newcastle forward Daryl Murphy.
Randolph has been linked with a move to newly promoted Newcastle United. The 30-year-old shared West Ham's goalkeeping duties with Adrian last season but both men are considering their future[s] after Joe Hart arrived from Manchester City on a one-year loan deal.
The Newcastle Chronicle report that Rafa Benitez may move Tim Krul and Karl Darlow on and bring in Randolph as competition for fellow Ireland international Rob Elliot. The Spaniard told reporters in Dublin:
"Rob is a good goalkeeper but I want him to compete. You can’t have players that think this is easy because they are the only one in that position.
"Hopefully we can bring in a new goalkeeper, and this competition will be good for the team."
While Randolph remaining in the Premier League would be welcome, Murphy may have to settle for another season in the second tier. The former Ipswich and Sunderland forward
is being linked with a £2m move to Nottingham Forest.
Mark Warburton's side have reportedly offered the 34-year-old a two-year deal but Birmingham and Sunderland are both interested in securing his services.
While O'Neill, and many Irish supporters, would prefer to keep as many Irish stars as possible in the Premier League, having the likes of Murphy, Randolph and Whelan playing regular football can only be a good thing.
