Kenny Dalglish contacted Cliftonville chairman Gerard Lawlor on Sunday about its red-hot striker Rory Donnelly. The BBC reports the Reds must battle Brentford, Swansea and Everton to secure the services of the lanky 19-year-old.
Donnelly has been setting the Northern Irish Premier League alight this season with a number of spectacular goals. He’s scored 11 goals in 17 games this season, and his club is looking to sell him within the next week.
Swansea was thought to have won the race for Donnelly’s signature when it’s £100,000 ($155,290) bid was accepted by Cliftonville. He will spend two or three days in the Welsh City as Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers makes his sales pitch.
But Cliftonville and Donnelly will consider all offers that are made by Friday.
“Cliftonville this week announced the acceptance of a transfer offer from Swansea City FC for striker Rory Donnelly,” a club statement said.
“The club are also aware of interest in the player from a number of other sources and has responded to a series of tentative enquiries in recent weeks. We are, however, keen to bring the issue to a conclusion as soon as possible.”
Donnelly made his debut for Cliftonville in Sept. 2010. After scoring just five goals in 26 games as a rookie, he’s profited from the confidence and seasoning that comes with experience.
The six-foot-two striker turns 20 in February and could see Liverpool as an ideal place to progress as a player. Dalglish will follow up with a call Monday and Liverpool may submit a transfer bid for the talented player.
See the video below for an example of Rory Donnelly’s goal-scoring prowess.
