Everton send scouts to watch Cork City goalkeeper David Harrington
Everton have kept an eye on Cork City goalkeeper David Harrington but the player has already made up his mind, according to the Irish Examiner.
The 22-year-old has excelled in his first season in the Irish Premier League and is set to become a league winner in the Republic of Ireland having already been selected for the nation’s Under-21 side.
The Toffees sent scouts to watch him perform and ramped up their interest with the transfer window coming to an end next week but Harrington opted not to join Everton.
His contract with Cork expires in October with the Irish league playing a summer season so he could be available for free very soon but the possibility is there for Kevin Thelwell to sign him early if he wants to.
Even if a bid does come in from Merseyside, Harrington would be kept at Cork until the end of the season so he can help them take the nine points they require from the final six matches to secure the title.
Loner-gone
Former Republic of Ireland international Alan Kelly is currently a goalkeeper coach at Finch Farm and perhaps Thelwell and Frank Lampard are going to ask him to be the peacemaker in negotiations if a bid is made.
It would be a smart move to make for Everton who could finally allow Andy Lonergan to leave the club having spent the 2021-22 season as the club’s third-choice goalkeeper, not making a single appearance.
A 38-year-old should be the first choice at whatever club they play for not the last resort as Lonergan has been for some time at various different clubs.
A youngster like Harrington would love to have that kind of chance and the experience of training with Jordan Pickford and Asmir Begovic would be invaluable for him.
If the transfer is not going to cost a great deal, which you can’t see why it would be expensive, then there is no reason why the club should give up on this pursuit.