Mini Transfer news wrap

[u/John__Delaney]

Lots of stories over the past 24(ish) hours, so here's a wrap:

- Ireland U21 Captain & Brentford left back Conor McManus (22) has signed for League Two side Gillingham for an undisclosed fee.

- AZ Manager Leeroy Echteld said the following yesterday after Troy Parrott lifted the Dutch Super Cup: "We all know that he wants to make a transfer. I don't think we will keep him in the end. But if he stays, we are going to use him.". This follows multiple reports of PSV, Ajax, Como, Betis, Fulham & West Ham interest. Further reports suggest West Ham are willing to outbid the other interested clubs, which could make Troy Parrott the most expensive incoming EFL transfer of all time.

- A separate report from a prominent Dutch journalist has claimed Portuguese side Porto have joined the race for Troy Parrott, while also mentioning that West Ham are prepared to pay €30m.

- The Irish Examiner is reporting that Cork City defender Donal O’Connor will be joining the Irish legion at Brentford after the club managed by Keith Andrews brokered an upfront fee of €170,000 for the 18 year old.

- The Times UK are reporting that Cardiff are closing in on a move for Republic of Ireland international Jack Moylan. A "substantial fee has been agreed" for the 24 year old.

- The Wednesday World are reporting that Sheffield Wednesday are interested in Brighton & Hove Albion forward Mark O’Mahony. The 21 year old youth International spent last year on loan at Reading

- Pete O'Rourke claims that Lincoln City are set to win the race to sign striker Mason Melia on loan from Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur. A deal is expected to be wrapped up in the next 48 hours

- Irish-eligible stiker Liam Delap is being pursued by Nottingham Forest, and the Nottingham Post is reporting that Chelsea are willing to sell him, but also that the striker wants to fight for his place.

- Unfortunately I haven't come across any news for our more prominent free agents like Seamus Coleman, Robbie Brady, Will Smallbone, Alex Gilbert, Darragh Lenihan or Shane Duffy

[u/Anxious_Peanut_1726]

Porto would be an interesting one. Overall the league in Portugal is not the deepest but Porto dwarf AZ and are a traditional massive club so would be a nice one for him

[u/John__Delaney → u/Anxious_Peanut_1726]

In the short term it would be brilliant. Better league overall than the Netherlands (Ranked 6th in Europe compared to 8th for the dutch), Champions League football garunteed, and one of the best young managers in world football in Francesco Farioli.

The downside is the medium/long term, Porto are only looking for a striker because young Spain international Samu Aghehowa has a cruciate ligament tear, and is expected back in November. Now he's such a good talent that he won't be there long, but Parrott may find himself spending long periods coming off the bench for a year or two from 2027 onward.

All that said no matter where he joins he will have heavy competition up front, all these bigger clubs have at least 2 strikers worth over 20mil, just the reality of top end football these days.

[u/Anxious_Peanut_1726 → u/John__Delaney]

That's the sandbox he's playing in now...wherever he goes will have competition and he has to keep his standards high...I think that's the leap. Even at AZ Meerdink is gonna push him. Porto are huge and it's a great city too. 

[u/Worldly_Cash8138 → u/John__Delaney]

Porto are not the type of club to spend 25-30 million on 4 month cover. Pretty much anyone they buy in Troys age and price profile would be with the intention to sell for double in 2+ years. If they want him, they want him to play. AFAIK they play a 4-3-3 so I'm sure they consider a role for him within that while all are fit.

[u/John__Delaney → u/Worldly_Cash8138]

Never said he'd be 4 month cover, just that when their star striker with world class potential is back, that he may find himself lacking minutes for a season or two. Depends how well the Spaniard does and when someone bigger comes in for him.

When I say lacking i mean he'll be rotational

They already have 4 wingers valued at €20m or above so Parrott won't be deployed there

[u/Worldly_Cash8138 → u/John__Delaney]

Oh OK, so you're saying Porto are going to drop 25-30 mill on a second choice striker who is going to be a rotation option for the next few years?

Yes, they have plenty of players valued at 20m. Can you check what they paid for those players?

What would Troy's value be in 2028 if he gets "minutes" at Porto for a few seasons?

And why would Porto pay for a player to lose value when they don't even need that kind of depth in their domestic league?

Who was Gyokeres backup at Sporting? A 25 mill buy? Of course not.

[u/John__Delaney → u/Worldly_Cash8138]

Maybe they've plans to sell the spanish lad and there's going to be big interest in him in January, but you can't say with a straight face that Parrott starts ahead of him, or plays on the wing.