Salford City are rivalling Hearts for the service of Derry City sensation, Eoin Toal, this summer, a source has exclusively revealed to Football League World. 

Gary Bowyer's side narrowly missed out on the League Two play-offs last season, with results elsewhere on the final day of the League Two campaign denying them the opportunity to play in the play-offs.

Nevertheless, the ambitious club, who are backed by the Class of 92, are dusting themselves down and going again ahead of 2021/22.

A source has revealed to Football League World that Salford have set their sights on Toal at Derry and are willing to go up against Scottish Premiership side, Hearts, for his signature.

Toal, 22, is regarded as one of the leading lights in the Irish leagues and is already captaining Derry despite his age, whilst he's a Northern Ireland under-21 international too.

The centre-back featured and scored for Derry in the Europa League last season, scoring in a 3-2 defeat to Riteriai back in August 2020.

Derry finished their League of Ireland campaign in seventh place, comfortably in mid-table following a tidy unbeaten run towards the end of the 2020/21 campaign.