Liverpool enter race for Donnelly

Liverpool are reported to be the latest club to enter the race to sign Cliftonville striker Rory Donnelly.

The Belfast Telegraph said that Cliftonville chairman Gerard Lawlor was contacted by Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish about Donnelly on Sunday.

The club have accepted an offer of around £100,000 from Swansea for the 19-year-old while Donnelly has also been linked with Everton.

Cliftonville want Donnelly's future to be sorted out before Christmas.

A Cliftonville statement said on Sunday that they will not be entering into any new dialogue with interested parties after next Friday.

"Cliftonville this week announced the acceptance of a transfer offer from Swansea City FC for striker Rory Donnelly, who has scored 17 goals for the Reds this season," the club stated.

"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."

Cliftonville chairman Lawlor spoke of his surprise at being phoned by Dalglish on Sunday.

"It's not every day you get Kenny Dalglish ringing you and asking how the Reds got on at the weekend," Lawlor told the Belfast Telegraph.

"He made it clear that Liverpool want to sign him and that they would be back in touch."

The player's agent is expected to hold talks with representatives from Everton and Swansea.

Source: BBC Sport

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