Conor Hourihane revealed he nearly joined Sheffield Wednesday before eventually agreeing a move to Aston Villa in 2017.
The 29-year-old said his contract was up the following summer and a number of clubs were keen on procuring his signature, but he couldn’t join Wednesday as they’re rivals of Barnsley.
Hourihane told The Athletic’s podcast Going Up, Going Down: “There was some other clubs who said if I saw my contract out they’d want to sign me on a free in the summer. This was way back in probably December time.
“I’ve no problem saying it, it was Sheffield Wednesday and Fulham all the way until probably coming up to Christmas time. I thought ‘I can’t go to Sheffield Wednesday, no way’. I’d ruin the relationship I’d got with the club.
“Then around Christmas time Bruce and Villa came in and I thought ‘I don’t think I can turn down Villa’.”
The 29-year-old signed for the Villans and has gone on to make 137 appearances in all competitions, scoring 28 goals and making 119 assists. Hourihane’s honest admission is a blow for Wednesday fans, however, as he’d be a stark improvement in the midfield.
Garry Monk would dream of having a player of Hourihane’s ability in the engine room, as he currently faces losing Kieran Lee, Sam Hutchison and Joey Pelupessy due to their contracts being up in the coming months.
Barry Bannan has been inconsistent while Massimo Luongo has struggled with injuries too, so the Owls are expected to strengthen in midfield this summer.
Vital Sheff Wed have cited Newcastle United’s Jack Colback, Hull City’s Kevin Stewart and Sheffield United’s Jack Rodwell as potential options, but it remains to be seen if a move will transpire for any of the trio.
