Cork City manager Colin Healy insists he is none the wiser about whether goalkeeper David Harrington will be on his way to the Premier League with Everton sooner rather than later, speaking to the Irish Examiner.
Earlier in the week, Healy admitted that a move to Goodison Park was likely an opportunity too good to turn down for his talented 22-year-old shot-stopper.
Everton had a nominal £43,000 bid rejected by Cork in the final few days of the summer window (EchoLive). But the Toffees are expected to come calling again in the New Year, leading top-flight rivals Newcastle United in the race to sign one of the most exciting young talents on the other side of the sea.
Healy, however, insists that Harrington is not letting the speculation distract him from the task in hand. Cork are top of the League of Ireland table and closing in on their first domestic title since 2017, with the season set to come to a conclusion in November.
Everton still hope to sign Newcastle United target David Harrington
“He’s still here,” Healy says of Harrington.
“That’s all I know, to be honest. He’s still here and he will be with us for another while. I don’t know if there are more talks going on in the background. I don’t know that, that’s behind the scenes.
“But he’s here, he’s focussed. He’s trained very well this week so there’s no bother with him.”
Harrington has made 27 appearances for the league leaders this term, keeping 14 clean sheets. Should he arrive at Everton, Harrington could potentially provide back-up for Jordan Pickford on the blue half of Merseyside. Veteran Asmir Begovic is due to depart when his contract expires in 2023.
“We will wait and see what happens” Healy explained a couple of days ago. “(Harrington) is a young lad. He’s done very, very well for himself, he’s got a big future in the game. It can be difficult when you’re a young lad. You have got that pressure and you are linked with Everton.
“Listen they’re a massive club, they are. People don’t realise how big they are. So let’s see what happens over the next few days with it.
“If he stays with us then great. If he does go at the end of the year or something like that, we will wish him the best. But he will be with us until the end of the season (in November) anyway.”
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