David Harrington's hopes of joining Everton may have been put on ice after it emerged that the Cork City goalkeeper now needs surgery on his shoulder.
Reports in Ireland have suggested that the Blues had agreed a fee for the Irish shot-stopper after two initial bids were rejected. The Irish Independent reports that an offer of €100,000 up front including add-ons was finally agreed in principle last month with the 22-year-old set to make the switch at the end of the Irish football season.
But Harrington has since damaged his shoulder at Cork and was forced to withdraw from the Republic of Ireland U21s' crucial Euro play-off match with Israel - a match the Israelis went on to win on penalties.
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The Independent indicates that the goalkeeper has not yet had a medical with Everton and any deal now would be subject to how he recovers from his shoulder operation. Harrington is set to go under the knife in November, and it is anticipated that he will be out of action for around three months.
Harrington's frustration will be further compounded by his unavailability to turn out for Cork with success on the horizon. Should City overcome Wexford tomorrow evening, they will effectively seal promotion to the Irish Premier Division.
Cork manager Colin Healy has previously talked down speculation about his goalkeeper making a move to Goodison Park. “He’s a young lad. He’s done very, very well for himself, he’s got a big future in the game,” he told Echo Live in early September.
“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.”
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