Juventus among admirers of Owen Elding but no Cork City approach for Patrick Hoban

Italian giants Juventus have joined the list of suitors monitoring the future of Sligo Rovers teen hotshot Owen Elding.

The 19-year-old bagged his eighth and most stunning goal of the season last Friday to fire his hometown club ahead in a 1-1 draw at Bohemians.

Sligo sensibly tied Elding down to a long-term contract until 2027, which doesn’t contain a buyout clause, and his value continues to rise with each stellar performance.

Bit O’Red boss John Russell admits it will take a “hell of a bid” to prise their key asset from the Showgrounds but his array of admirers has swelled beyond the traditional UK market.

Several were at Dalymount Park last Friday to observe the player in action first-hand.

Juve, the most successful club in Serie A with 36 titles, have been tracking Elding in recent months and it's believed he features on a shortlist of potential targets.

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Liam Brady is the Irish player most associated with Juve, collecting league medals in the 1981 and 1982 seasons he spent in Turin.

Wicklow native Ronnie O’Brien was a surprise capture in 1999 but he made just one brief substitute appearance in the first-team over his three-year stint.

In recent years, Udinese took an interest in a couple of Irish players, exposing Festy Ebosele and James Abankwah to top-flight game-time. The latter will spend another loan at their sister club Watford in the upcoming season.

Elding has yet to represent Ireland. Born in England, he’s spent most of his life in the west of Ireland since his Dad, Anthony, moved across during his football career, scoring Sligo’s winner in the 2013 FAI Cup final against Drogheda United.

Despite holding no bloodline links to Ireland, the FAI are exploring eligibility through residency rules that would facilitate his availability for Ireland’s U21s.

Meanwhile, there’s no substance to reports linking Pat Hoban with a move to Cork City.

The prolific striker has only played a peripheral role for title contenders Derry City this term but the notion of him moving south to Leeside hasn’t been broached.

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