Derry City's David Parkhouse holds talks with Ballymena United

Derry City striker David Parkhouse is a wanted man by a host of Irish League clubs.
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It’s believed the big frontman has held talks on Thursday with Ballymena United boss David Jeffrey, while Cliftonville manager Paddy McLaughlin along with Glentoran, Larne and Coleraine are all thought to be keen to sign the Strabane man.

While the Braidmen seem to be in the box seat having agreed a fee with Derry, it’s thought the others will also meet City’s asking price for the frontman.

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However Ballymena have already mixed it with the ‘big boys’ and came out victorious this year when they managed to keep highly rated striker Shay McCartan despite a host of other clubs having held talks with the former Northern Ireland forward.

Derry City striker David Parkhouse.Derry City striker David Parkhouse.
Derry City striker David Parkhouse.

Unfortunately for United it's believed that the ex-Sheffield United man would probably favour joining a club who are full-time.

Parkhouse, who only this season signed a three year deal with the Brandywell club, was on the bench and didn’t come on in last night’s first home success of the campaign over Waterford.

Goals from debutante Evan McLaughlin and Joe Thomson sealed Ruaidhri Higgins’ first win at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium and with recent signings Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe and Jamie McGonigle both featuring, Parkhouse’s days with the club looked to be numbered.

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The 21-year-old, who during his first spell with the Candy Stripes under Declan Devine’s stewardship netted an impressive 19 goals and added five assists in 39 appearances in 2019, has failed to reproduce the form which earned him a place in the PFAI Team of the Year in his debut season.

Indeed, despite featuring in all but two of Derry’s games this season, the front man still hasn’t opened his goalscoring account and a swift Brandywell exit is expected soon.

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