Swansea to pip Merseyside duo for striker

Swansea are on the verge of beating Premier League rivals Everton and Liverpool to the signing of Northern Irish youngster Rory Donnelly from Cliftonville.

The 19-year-old striker is rated at £100,000 and has attracted interest from a host of top clubs, with Kenny Dalglish and David Moyes sniffing around, along with West Bromwich Albion scouts.

Swans boss Brendan Rodgers went to watch Donnelly in a County Antrim Shield game in November, before the Swans made two bids for Donnelly - the second of which was accepted.

Although both Merseyside clubs have made contact with Cliftonville chairman Gerard Lawlor, the striker is set to opt for the Welsh side.

Lawlor said: "It's not every day you get Kenny Dalglish ringing you and asking how we got on at the weekend.

"Unsurprisingly, his main reason for phoning was to declare an interest in Rory Donnelly. He made it clear Liverpool want to sign him and they would be back in touch."

Everton manager David Moyes also mentioned his side's interest in the wonderkid, who has scored 17 goals so far this season - including three hat-tricks.

"We are in there trying to see what the situation is," said Moyes.

"The chairman spoke with their chairman there so we are around that as well."

Source: Daily Mail

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