The race for Conor Hourihane is on, with two promotion-chasing Championship sides said to be keen on the Aston Villa midfielder.

Hourihane has made 150 appearances for Villa, scoring 29 goals and producing 23 assists in that time, and was an important player for them in the Premier League last term.

He scored three goals and added five assists in the top-flight last season, and was also influential in their promotion from the Championship in 2018/19.

But the addition of Ross Barkley has added competition to the midfield, with Hourihane making only four league appearances this season.

Quiz: The top 16 Middlesbrough record player departures – Which club did they join though?

 

Football Insider, then, have reported that Villa are open to letting Hourihane leave on loan this month, with Swansea City reportedly keen on the Irishman.

Swansea have recently seen Morgan Gibbs-White return to his parent club Wolves, leaving Steve Cooper with scope to add more of a creative option to his midfield.

The Swans are fighting for an automatic promotion place, and Hourihane would certainly add goal threat from the middle of the park.

According to TEAMtalk, though, Middlesbrough are also showing an interest in the 29-year-old and have reportedly made an approach for the midfielder.

Boro are reportedly willing to let Lewis Wing leave this month, meaning that Hourihane could come in on loan as his ready-made replacement.

It remains to be seen where Hourihane does find himself playing his football beyond January, but with high-flying Championship sides showing an interest, a loan move could well be a possibility.