'Our offer was rejected' - Stephen Bradley believes Seani Maguire is not for sale

Maguire faces a First Division campaign from next month following relegation but Rovers want him for a season that has their Champions League return as a cornerstone.

Wed, 28 Jan, 2026 - 21:00

John Fallon

Champions Shamrock Rovers have revealed they’ve had a bid for Seáni Maguire rejected and don’t expect Cork City to sell for any price.

Ex-Ireland international Maguire faces a First Division campaign from next month following relegation but Rovers want him for a season that has their Champions League return as a cornerstone.

That Maguire has two years left on his contract puts City in a strong position.

The initial offer – believed to be €30,000 – hasn’t been increased and Hoops boss Stephen Bradley has switched his focus to other targets.

Watch: Fiacre Kelleher and Eva Mangan look forward to new season with Cork City

He’s in the market for reinforcements due to the likely exit of Michael Noonan.

Rovers have received an improved €1.7m bid from Bundesliga side TSG Hoffenheim for the tyro but will the final decision on the move in the hands of the Ireland U21 forward who turns 18 in July.

“Our offer was rejected quite some time back and that was as far as it went,” Bradley said about Maguire, whom he missed out on in 2024 when Maguire opted to rejoin City upon his return from England.

“Cork City have their player under contract and they are adamant that he is staying at Cork. There is nothing to do there.”

Asked if the 31-year-old was available for any price, Bradley seemed perplexed at City’s entrenched stance.

“We were told he is not for sale and you cannot buy someone who is not for sale. I was always of the opinion that every player in the world is for sale. Supposedly not but that is Cork’s business.”

Bradley admitted they'd made contingencies in advance for the potential sale of Noonan.

He can move to Germany immediately if a deal is completed before Monday’s transfer deadline or wait until the summer when he’s eligible to join one of his UK admirers – led by Celtic and Chelsea.