By:
Mark Hendry
Clubs keen on Vinnie Leonard will have to spend €400,000 to land the defender from Dundalk.
The defender, 17, had been in talks with Brighton as well as Crystal Palace last week.
Celtic also liked Leonard and had made an offer to land the player in the summer.
Leonard had always been adamant he wanted a first-team pathway and refused potential switches further abroad to chase his dream of playing regularly.
Reports coming out of England had claimed that Leonard had agreed a move to the Seagulls for the asking fee.
Which would have come as a bitter blow to the likes of the Hoops and the other interested parties.
Vinnie Leonard still in talks with clubs over transfer
However, Pundit Arena can now confirm that NO final decision has come from the player yet.
His representatives remain in direct conversation with multiple clubs who are still hopeful of bringing in the kid.
Leonard does not turn 18 until March which means he can’t move in January due to Brexit rules.
That is, if he does indeed opt to remain in the UK.
But a pre-contract is being sought by his agents to allow the right-back to have his future secured before the start of the new League of Ireland campaign.
Regardless he will begin the season with Dundalk and then make his move in the summer.
Unless a loan to stay at Oriel Park is agreed.
It will cost clubs €400k to sign the player but that has not put anyone off.
Brighton not yet landed Leonard despite reports
Celtic have scouted Leonard over the past year and have watched him progress.
The young Irishman has played 40 times for the Dundalk first-team from such a young age after making his debut at just 16 years, 10 months and 24 days.
The Irish Examiner had reported that Brighton had sealed the deal to add to their Ireland connections.
Evan Ferguson, Andrew Moran and Eiran Cashin are all tied to the club even while on loan elsewhere.
And signing the promising Leonard would further boost the numbers of the Irish contingent.
Still, it could happen for the Seagulls who are in constant contact over the promising talent.
Celtic, too, have Irish stars in their starting XI.
Johnny Kenny may be struggling but he has started 13 times this campaign for the club.
Liam Scales is another who is a regular for the Parkhead club which will give Leonard hope of emulating that run.
Scales joined Celts from Shamrock Rovers in League of Ireland which boosts Leonard’s chance.
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