Hibs appear to be winning the race to sign Johnny Kenny from Sligo Rovers.
The striker seems certain to move on during the January transfer window with a £130,000 get out clause included in the three year contract that he signed last month.
Reports in Ireland have linked Kenny with Celtic but even without a first team manager in place Hibs seem to be doing all of the groundwork to convince the 18-year-old that Edinburgh is the next step in his career.
The Edinburgh Evening News reports:
The Republic of Ireland Under-19 forward has a host of admirers, including Celtic, but the player was given a tour of East Mains on Tuesday before attending the 1-0 victory over Dundee at Easter Road.
Kenny is under contract at the Showgrounds until 2024 but is believed to have a €150,000 release clause in his deal with Sligo Rovers that both Celtic and Hibs are willing to trigger next month.
Reports in Ireland suggest the Capital club are in pole position to see off competition from their Premier Sports Cup final opponents to secure Kenny’s services.
The teenager broke into the Rovers senior team earlier this year and his 11 goals in 33 games for the Bit O’ Red attracted attention from suitors in Scotland and England and helped Liam Buckley’s side to third in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division.
After the massive clear out of players in the summer it seems that Celtic’s transfer focus has been on bringing in players instantly ready for first team football.
Osaze Urhoghide and Liam Shaw have made one appearance each since arriving from Sheffield Wednesday with Lowland League football not much use to Kenny on the back of a successful breakthrough in the League of Ireland.
Josh Doig and Kevin Nisbet are examples that Hibs can highlight to Kenny of their development plans but until a deal is signed off there can always be complications and counter offers.