Cork City have reached a verbal agreement with Fulham for the sale of Roy O'Donovan but the club's star player will stay in Ireland on loan for the remainder of the season.
O'Donovan, touted among the best players in the domestic game and courted by a number of English and Scottish clubs, will discuss personal terms and undergo a medical in London next week.
Fulham are currently in Hong Kong competing in the Asia Trophy as they step up preparations for their opening Premier League game at Arsenal on August 12th.
Manager Lawrie Sanchez is believed to have offered an initial fee in the region of €450,000 for O'Donovan who had also attracted interest from Southend United, Watford, Hull, Nottingham Forest and Celtic in recent months.
That figure is set to rise depending on appearances for both club and country.
Under the terms of the Fulham deal the 21-year-old will become a Premiership player but finish out this domestic season with his current employers.
It is a shrewd move by Cork as Damien Richardson's side are generating momentum and making up ground on their rivals having stuttered early in the campaign.
But O'Donovan is doubtful for tomorrow's high-profile league encounter with second-placed St Patrick's Athletic in Dublin. The in-form forward, scorer of 20 goals this term, is struggling with a hamstring injury.
Cork sit fifth in the table, eight points off leaders Drogheda United but with two games in hand.
Richardson confirmed last week that bids had been received from Fulham and the League Two outfit Southend for the Republic of Ireland under-21 international.
"We've been trying for a long time to bring Roy to Roots Hall but it looks like we've failed," Southend chairman Ron Martin said today. "He's expected to go to Fulham now which is a pity because I believe he could have been something special for this football club. Unfortunately the lure of the Premier League looks to have won the day."
O'Donovan is out of contract in Cork at the end of the season and he has repeatedly signalled his intention to try his luck again in England, where he previously had spells at Coventry and Cheltenham Town.
When returning to England at the season's end he will hope to emulate former Cork players Kevin Doyle and Shane Long, both of whom are now Premiership regulars for Reading and the Republic of Ireland.
O'Donovan expressed surprise and disappointment at not being part of the Ireland squad for Steve Staunton's recent tour of America and stepping up from under-21 and B class will be in his sights.
