Former Preston North End trialist Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh is now at the centre of a tug-of-war between Chelsea, West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur.
PNE have had strong ties with the Irish market over the years.
Alan Browne really set the ball rolling with a 2014 move from Cork City and more followed.
Andy Boyle, Daryl Horgan, Kevin O’Connor and Seani Maguire followed, as did youngster Adam O’Reilly from Browne’s former club Ringmahon Rangers.
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Graham Burke was the last notable addition from Ireland with PNE going in a different direction after mixed results.
North End did though use their ties to Cork City to take youngster Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh on trial back in 2021.
Then an Ireland Under-15 international, O’Brien-Whitmarsh emerged on the PNE radar and spent time training with North End.
West Ham United also had a look at O’Brien-Whitmarsh back then as the attacking midfielder scored four times on trial with the Hammers.
O’Brien-Whitmarsh now appears to be a wanted man again though with more Premier League clubs interested.
The Telegraph claim that West Ham are hoping to wrap up a deal for the 17-year-old this summer.
However, London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are also keen and could rival David Moyes for his signature.
It looks like any chance of a move to PNE has gone now with the teenager seemingly heading for the Premier League.
O’Brien-Whitmarsh has already made a first-team impact for Cork, bagging two goals in just 11 games.
North End appear to have missed the boat on O’Brien-Whitmarsh and it will be fascinating to see whether he can become a top-flight star in the coming years.