Motherwell manager Graham Alexander expects his side to be linked with lots of players in the winter - but the Irish market is one potential hotspot for the Fir Park club.
Drogheda United forward Mark Doyle has been linked with a January move to the Steelmen after an impressive 13-goal return in the 2021 League of Ireland season which ended this month.
Alexander has already snapped up Bohemian attacking midfielder Ross Tierney ahead of the January window.
While coy on the rumours surrounding Doyle, the Motherwell boss says plenty of conversations are already happening with regards club transfer business.
"We scout lots of players," said Alexander. "I won't speak about any individuals specifically unless we've signed them, but we've spoke to a lot of players.
"That's not just in Ireland - that's in England, Scotland and abroad. January is an important time but we are just trying to focus on our games.
"The Irish season is just about to end and there will be a lot of speculation about a lot of players over there - agents are brilliant at that. But we'll see what January brings.
"I could give you a long list of players we'll be linked with in the next six or seven weeks."
More and more Scottish clubs are beginning to dip into the Irish market. St Mirren have had particular success with the signings of Jamie McGrath and Conor McCarthy from Dundalk and Cork City.
Celtic meanwhile snapped up Liam Scales from Shamrock Rovers in the summer and Dundee boss James McPake is heading to Ireland after facing Alexander's team on Saturday in Premiership action.
He'll take in Sunday's FAI Cup final between Bohemian and St Patrick's Athletic on a scouting mission. Motherwell will be aiming to send him over with a defeat, as the Steelmen look to rise to joint-third potentially with a win at Dens Park.
The 'Well boss says Irish players are beginning to see the Premiership as a good career stepping stone.
"With our recruitment during the summer, we looked everywhere," explained Alexander. "As long as they have the right attributes for what a Motherwell player should be, we'll try and sign them.
"Because Ireland is just across the water, I think a lot of players see England and Scotland as a great step for them going forward. I think the money is lower in Ireland than it is in Scotland.
"That's certainly the case between Ireland and England. It's a marketplace and there's a food chain. We're not at the top of it, but we know there are good players there.
"They are ambitious for another good opportunity as the Premiership is a brilliant division. It's got a brilliant group of clubs and it's a great destination for players wanting to test their quality.
"There's been success stories too coming across from Ireland, which I think helps. It perhaps opens the door for other players to follow."
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