Jack Moylan has enjoyed an eventful start to life in international football – and he could be set for a huge summer move.
Ireland’s Jack Moylan celebrates after his debut hat-trick(Image: INPHO/Ryan Byrne)
Cardiff City are closing in on a ‘substantial’ deal to sign Jack Moylan from Lincoln City.
With both sides winning promotion from League One to the Championship last season, the Bluebirds are looking to use their greater financial clout to snap up one of the heroes of Lincoln’s success.
Former Shelbourne prospect Moylan delighted Imps fans last season with his form, which included 11 league goals and seven assists.
He finished the season on 12 club goals and earned a senior Ireland call-up for the Spanish training camp and friendly against Grenada in Murcia.
And he made quite the impact, scoring a hat-trick on his debut to become the first Ireland star to achieve that since David Kelly almost four decades earlier.
Moylan followed that up with an impressive start to the Aviva Stadium friendly against Qatar.
He provided the assist for Nathan Collins’ early winner, and then harshly saw red just before half-time for a challenge in midfield.
Boys in Green boss Heimir Hallgrímsson described Northern Irish referee Jamie Robinson’s call as “the wrong decision” and Moylan appeared to be close to tears as he left the pitch.
A move to Brian Barry-Murphy’s side could be just the ticket as he seeks to catch Hallgrímsson’s eye again.
And according to Wales Online, Cardiff’s summer transfer window is set to spring into life with the capture of Moylan (24) as their first outfield arrival.
It has been reported that a ‘substantial fee’ has been agreed, while Moylan’s absence from Lincoln’s squad for last weekend’s pre-season friendlies against Doncaster and Burnley added further fuel to the speculation.
Lincoln boss Tom Shaw said: “That’s with the club, the Jack Moylan situation. Something has been reported on social media, that’s just with the football club.
“We are aware there is something going on. That situation is with the football club.”
Moylan proved last year in League One that he has the ability not only to entertain with his strong attacking instincts, but that he has a serious end product too.
And if his first two senior Ireland caps are anything to go by, there will be more big moments to come in a green jersey for the man that scored 26 goals in 70 appearances for League of Ireland side Shels.