Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce is preparing to rival Sheffield Wednesday for former Ipswich Town youngster, Conor Hourihane.
Press Association Sport understands an enquiry has been made for Barnsley’s Hourihane, with Wednesday reportedly making a £1million offer, and Villa are set to launch their own bid for the 25-year-old midfielder.
Hourihane was signed by former Blues boss Roy Keane, on a free transfer from Sunderland in 2010, but was released the following year by Paul Jewell, having failed to make a first-team appearance, and joined Plymouth Argyle.
Hourihane, who joined Barnsley from the Pilgrims in the summer of 2014, is out of contract in the summer and in demand, having netted five times for the Reds in the Championship, this season.
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