Sports Direct is musing over the former Clerys building in Dublin.
According to the Irish Times, it is understood that owner Mike Ashley is looking to the building of the once established department store chain as part of plans to expand Irish operations.
The retailer did not respond to repeated queries about the nature of its interest in the site, which sources say is firmly on its radar.
Currently, Sports Direct owns 50% of Irish department store chain Heatons, which has around 60 stores in the country, and announced late last year it will trigger a clause to buy the remaining shares for €47.5m. Sports Direct promised “a substantial multi-million investment” in its Irish operations when it announced the Heatons deal.
“Ireland is the fastest growing economy in Europe…and a nation of sport fanatics,” a company spokesperson said. “Our unique offering…will be transformative. The Irish retail sector…is a great place to be,” it said.
