Various reports are suggesting that Championship side Newcastle United are eyeing Republic of Ireland midfielder Daryl Horgan, who currently plays in Dundalk. The 24-year old midfielder has scored 10 goals this season in 22 appearances and is fast becoming a good player.
Horgan, who has been a key player for Dundalk’s success this season, has attracted a lot of attention by a number of Premier League and Championship scouts already. Reports also suggest that Sunderland are interested in the midfielder for several months now and are thought to be leading the race to sign the 24-year-old.
Interestingly, Newcastle United are supposedly having a bigger transfer kitty than Sunderland despite being a Championship side as they are yet to spend the 30 million pounds they had received from Tottenham Hotspur for Moussa Sissoko this summer.
Daryl Horgan was called in the Ireland squad for the first time by manager Martin O’Neill for the World Cup qualifier against Austria earlier this month. Seamus Coleman has been biggest star representing the country in the Premier League campaign of late and the Premier League managers believe Horgan too could be a success.
In a recent interview, Horgan opened up about the interests from other clubs, “I don’t know, really (what’s going on). To be honest with you, I try to stay out of it as much as I possibly can. It’s very easy to say you’re interested. It’s very different to put an offer on the table and, at the minute, there are no offers on the table. I’m a Dundalk player. I’m very happy at Dundalk but, as I said, if an offer does come in from somewhere, I’d have to consider it, especially from a massive club like Newcastle.”
A more realistic destination for the Irish winger could be Celtic who have shown interest in the player. His contract with Dundalk expires this December, which will make him a free transfer in January. Horgan is currently having a brilliant Europa League campaign for his side this season having scored once and assisting twice in four games.
The Irishman is a quick and agile winger who likes to operate mostly from the left flank. The Republic of Ireland international can outpace most defenders in the world with his pace and can put deadly crosses into the area. He is predominantly right-footed but uses his weaker foot pretty well too.
Newcastle United are currently atop the Championship table. Horgan will have to compete with the likes of Issac Hayden and Yoan Gouffran if he comes to Newcastle but considering Benitez’s approach, he could really flourish under the Spaniard.
