By Russell Edge

1st Oct, 2020 | 6:15pm

Exclusive: Hibernian in 10-club chase with Stoke City & QPR to sign midfielder

Hibernian have joined Stoke City and QPR in the chase to sign former Aston Villa midfielder Jake Doyle-Hayes on a free transfer, Football Insider understands.

This site revealed on Wednesday that Portsmouth, Hull City, Blackpool, Doncaster Rovers and MK Dons were among the multitude of clubs chasing a deal for the 21-year-old after his contract at Villa expired earlier this summer.

A recruitment source has told Football Insider that SPL side Hibs have made contact with the player’s representatives to try and strike a deal and beat their rivals to his capture.

Championship sides Stoke and QPR have also joined the 10-club pursuit to take advantage of the midfielder’s situation and secure a promising young talent on a free.

Doyle-Hayes came through the youth ranks at Villa after moving to England from the Republic of Ireland but struggled to make the breakthrough into the first team.

He made three cup appearances for the Villans’ senior side between 2017 and 2018 and was left as an unused substitute in a further five games across all competitions.

The Republic of Ireland under-21 international spent time out on loan in League Two with both Cambridge Town, where he played six times during the 2018/19 campaign, and Cheltenham Town.

He managed score once and chip in with seven assists in 36 games for the Robins last season as they reached the play-off semi-finals only to be beaten by Northampton Town.

The midfielder’s performances have caught the eye of no fewer than 10 clubs from across the UK and there is now a fierce fight, including the likes of Hibernian, to secure his capture.

The Scottish side currently sit third in the SPL table after a bright start to the season.

In other SPL news, Celtic have submitted a £3million bid for left-sided star.