Sheffield Wednesday and Aston Villa have reportedly made bids for the Irishman.
There’s not a Sheffield Wednesday fan alive who would have said no to Mo Diame, after witnessing the former Hull City midfielder’s match-winning display in May’s play-off final between the two teams.
Though Wednesday’s route to the Wembley showpiece was, for the most part, easy on the eye, one couldn’t help but feel that having someone a little uglier to call upon (that’s nothing personal, Mo) might have aided the Owls’ cause that day.
Diame eventually moved to Newcastle United, after the Magpies triggered a clause in his Tigers contract, as Wednesday continued their policy of signing those who had been there, done it, but were no longer part of their Premier League club’s plans, eventually landing David Jones from Burnley and Almen Abdi from Watford.
Mo Diame celebrates the goal that saw Hull promoted at Wednesday’s expense
A recent injury to Kieran Lee, however, has seen the Owls return to market for a new central midfielder, with the Irish Sun reporting this week that a bid for Barnsley captain Conor Hourihane has been rejected.
Having assisted a league-high eleven goals this season – and scored five of his own – few of a blue and white persuasion would turn their nose up. However, with HITC sources understanding the Irishman would favour a move to Aston Villa, Carlos Carvalhal’s side may be forced to look elsewhere if they are to replace Lee this month.
At six-foot-one, Hourihane certainly stands out, although physical stature is somewhat low down his list of key attributes, after passing, crossing and long-range shooting.
Should they beaten to the Tykes skipper, however, it might be wise Wednesday to consider someone more in Diame’s mould – a dominant presence to accompany Sam Hutchinson (or alternatively, given his track record of unavailability, stand in for the popular ex-Chelsea man)
Burton Albion’s Jackson Irvine is one player who springs to mind. The six-foot-two Australia international is a defensive midfielder by trade, but has flourished since he was pushed further forward by Brewers boss Nigel Clough – scoring eight goals this season, including one against the Owls back in August.
Burton’s Jackson Irvine celebrates his goal against Derby County
Irvine’s form is said to have alerted several Championship sides – notably Derby County and Wolverhampton Wanderers – to his services (The World Game), while a contract until 2019 ensures he would be harder to prise away than Hourihane. A couple of million quid could do the trick, however, and should be well within Wednesday’s budget – financial fair play permitting.
Though perhaps not as creative as Hourihane, Irvine would certainly bring something different – and of use – to Carvalhal’s engine room, which, comprising Barry Bannan, Ross Wallace, Abdi and others, should be ingenious enough as it is.
A player such as Irvine could help those names to flourish.
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