Cliftonville defender Luke Turner
Chasing the title, Cliftonville are prepared to lose another key player in the January transfer window, with League of Ireland side St Patrick’s Athletic and Bohemians competing for Luke Turner.
Defender Turner has had a great season playing a key role in Cliftonville’s best defensive record in the Sports Direct Premiership and they would like to keep him, but Sunday Life Sports understands that a transfer is likely to occur this week.
The Reds could expect to receive a transfer fee for the 21-year-old, whose contract expires at the end of the season.
The fact that so many players are wanted is a sign of the great job that manager Jim McGilton has done at the club.
Earlier this month, midfielder Chris Gallagher moved to Larne, joining a number of former Cliftonville stars at Inver Park, including Levi Ives, who left Solitude last summer, while striker Ben Wilson joined many He is a target for the club, but has decided to stay at this stage.
Republic of Ireland youth international Turner began his professional career at Aberdeen before joining Cliftonville on loan in 2021, winning a number of Young Player of the Year awards after making his first appearance in the Irish League. He then signed a contract with the Reds, but always harbored ambitions to return to full-time football, which St Pat’s and Bohemians could offer him.
Cliftonville have held talks with the young centre-back over a contract extension, but are now thought to be hard at work bringing in a replacement should Turner’s move materialize.
Despite a lot of interest in Cliftonville’s players, McGilton’s side suffered a dramatic 1-0 defeat to Carrick Rangers on Friday night thanks to a stoppage time goal from the ever-growing Audran. victory, continued his remarkable run of form, and was able to maintain an incredible tilt towards the title. Casey.
The north Belfast side are five points behind leaders Linfield and four points behind Larne, but they still have a game in hand and have had an excellent season so far.