According to HITC Sports, Sky Bet Championship duo Birmingham City and Barnsley are both showing an interest in Peterborough United defender Ryan Tafazolli.

Since joining the Posh in the summer from League Two outfit Mansfield Town, the centre-back has impressed at London Road amid a play-off push.

The 25-year-old is labelled as one of the rising stars from League One and could well be on the move this month as Blues boss Gianfranco Zola and Barnsley manager Paul Heckingbottom, both are keen on acquiring his services during the January transfer window.

Tafazolli has become a regular in the Peterborough starting eleven having been involved in 22 games this season.

Zola has struggled since his appointment at Birmingham City and is likely to strengthen his defensive options, meanwhile at Oakwell they are bracing themselves for the departure of Marc Roberts as they attempt sign Ryan Tafazolli.

The report also suggests Posh manager Grant McCann will not allow the centre-back to leave this January but would consider any bids in the summer.

Tafazolli began his career at Southampton but failure to make a single appearance made him switch the south coast for Mansfield where he racked up 99 matches for the Stags before signing for Peterborough United on a free transfer last summer.

Birmingham and Barnsley fans, do your teams need Ryan Tafazolli to improve the defence? Is he ready to step up to the Championship having only just made the switch to League One? Give us your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!