Cork City want to sign Brendan Clarke on loan next season.
The goalkeeper has a year to run on his St Pat’s contract but is not in Stephen O’Donnell’s first-team plans.
O’Donnell was appointed in September but wasted no time slashing his Saints squad with a view to a rebuild.
While Clarke will fight for his position, the Rebels are now keen to lure him to Turner’s Cross.
Veteran goalkeeper Mark McNulty lost his place in the City team during the second-half of last season.
Neale Fenn prefered Tadhg Ryan between the posts but the new boss wants an experienced hand next year.
Clarke, 34, is currently in his third spell with St Pat’s and won a league title and FAI Cup with them in 2013 and 2014.
He also had spells with Limerick, Sligo Rovers and the defunct Sporting Fingal.
Last week, Saints boss O’Donnell was quizzed about Clarke’s future at the club - as well as other players.
He refused to hone in on any one player, but said: “Is there a point of me keeping them on if they might not play every week?
“I tried to tell them as early as I could, because in the League of Ireland things can drag for six or seven weeks.
“I wanted to let players know so they could be clear in their heads where they stand.”
O’Donnell continued: “(players under contract) are part of the club and will be treated right and fairly if nothing materialises.
“Everything is going to be done in good faith and on a good, human level. There will be no skulduggery.”
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