Wayne Rooney 'wanted' Aston Villa transfer before shock Derby County exit

Conor Hourihane's search for a new club will go on after it was reported he was close to joining League One side Derby County.

The former Aston Villa midfielder was one of eight players released by the club this summer after the Republic of Ireland international spent five years at Villa Park. Hourihane made a total of 151 appearances in claret and blue, scoring 29 goals and 23 assists whilst playing a pivotal role in Villa's promotion in 2019.

Hourihane played 43 of the 46 Championship games under Dean Smith during the promotion winning season, scoring seven goals and providing a further 12 assists from midfield. His goal against West Brom in the play-off semi-final helped them on their way to defeat Frank Lampard's Derby at Wembley.

After falling behind in the pecking order under Smith and Steven Gerrard, he endured loan spells at Championship clubs Swansea City and Sheffield United throughout the previous two seasons, helping both sides reach the play-offs.

Now, according to The Sun, Hourihane was wanted by Wayne Rooney at Derby and was ready to offer him a three-year deal this summer as the Rams seek an instant return to the Championship. It has been reported that the move were dependent on the takeover involving American businessman Chris Kirchner.

However, earlier this month, the deal to take the Rams out of administration collapsed as Kirchner ended up withdrawing his bid. Despite, the news that local firm Clowes Developments had agreed a deal to buy Pride Park from former owner Mel Morris on Friday, Rooney quit on the same day, apparently leaving Hourihane "in limbo".