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Reds to battle Prem sides for Irish prodigy

By Russell Hughes

ROME, ITALY - MAY 02: The Liverpool fans celebrate at full time during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final Second Leg match between A.S. Roma and Liverpool at Stadio Olimpico on May 2, 2018 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
ROME, ITALY - MAY 02: The Liverpool fans celebrate at full time during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final Second Leg match between A.S. Roma and Liverpool at Stadio Olimpico on May 2, 2018 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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Liverpool will battle Newcastle United and Everton for the signing of Irish prodigy Sean McLoughlin.

TeamTalk.com have reported that McCloughlin is attracting the interest of all three sides after an impressive campaign for Cork City in the League of Ireland.

As well as those heavy hitters, Championship clubs Middlesbrough and Preston North-End are also keen on the defender – who has already been replaced in the squad by Damien Delaney.

The 21-year-old played 18 games for the Irish side, who beat competition from English and Scottish clubs to bring the youngster to Turner’s Cross (as per the42.ie).

Must Read: Five of the biggest snakes to play for Liverpool

On arrival, manager John Caulfield confirmed that a League One side as well as a Scottish Premier League outfit had wanted McLoughlin. For him to go from the third tier of English football to being wanted by some of the biggest clubs in the land shows his progression in a short time.

This is unlikely to be the big name central defender that Reds’ fans want manager Jurgen Klopp to bring to the side, and it’s more than likely that McLoughlin would go into the academy set up.

Must Read: Liverpool cannot let Chelsea or Man Utd beat them to this central defender

Although taking a low risk punt like this has been known to work out. Seamus Coleman, one of the better right-backs in the Premier League on his day, was signed for just £70,000 from Sligo Rovers and now has 218 top flight games under his belt.

While its always good to see scouts pay attention to the lesser leagues in the hope of securing a gem, you’d hope that they don’t spend too much time focused on something with such a low success rate.

Next: 5 most embarrassing Liverpool transfer debacles of all time

In other news, Liverpool are fighting the Toffies for another transfer target and it looks like they might win! Norwich City ace James Maddison is wanted by both clubs, said this report, and Everton are the ones most willing to meet the extremely high £30 million asking fee.