Peterborough United are among the clubs tracking Aston Villa youngster Tommi O’Reilly as they prepare for potential transfer interest in winger Cian Hayes.
Sources have indicated to The Deck that Posh are monitoring the 22-year-old playmaker closely, with the club considering him as a possible replacement should Hayes attract offers in the coming window. He is currently on loan in League Two, where he has six goals and ten assists for Crewe Alexandra.
Transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke recently reported that a number of Championship and League One clubs are expected to pursue O’Reilly this summer following an impressive loan spell away from Villa. The attacking midfielder has enjoyed a productive campaign with Crewe Alexandra, where his creativity and attacking output have made him one of the standout young players in League Two.
The Birmingham-born midfielder has been part of Aston Villa’s academy since childhood and was a member of the side that lifted the FA Youth Cup in 2021. Although his first-team opportunities have been limited, he has gained valuable experience through a series of loan moves, including spells with Real Unión in Spain, Shrewsbury Town, Milton Keynes Dons and most recently Crewe.
It is that most recent stint that has attracted attention from clubs higher up the pyramid. O’Reilly has delivered a steady stream of goals and assists, strengthening his reputation as an inventive attacking option capable of operating centrally or from wide areas.
Peterborough are understood to be one of several sides monitoring his situation as they plan ahead for the next transfer window.
Peterborough United preparing for Hayes interest
The interest in O’Reilly is closely linked to the growing attention surrounding Cian Hayes.
The 22-year-old winger joined Peterborough United from Fleetwood Town in 2024 and has quickly established himself as an important attacking option at London Road. However, his progress has not gone unnoticed elsewhere.
Earlier in the season, chairman Darragh MacAnthony confirmed that several League One clubs attempted to sign Hayes on deadline day, with a number of those approaches coming from clubs based in the north west of England.
At the time, Peterborough rejected those offers, preferring to retain the winger as part of their long-term plans. MacAnthony explained that the club believed Hayes still had significant development ahead of him and wanted to keep him in their squad.
Since then, the winger has continued to gain experience at League One level, adding goals and assists while establishing himself as a regular attacking presence.
Despite that stance earlier in the campaign, the club are braced for renewed interest once the next transfer window opens.
Replacement planning already underway
With Hayes expected to attract further bids, Peterborough’s recruitment team have begun identifying potential successors should the winger move on. O’Reilly is believed to be high on that shortlist.
At 22, the Aston Villa academy graduate fits the profile Peterborough have often targeted in the market, young players with clear development potential and the ability to increase their value with regular first-team football.
A move could also appeal to Villa, who are thought to favour another loan switch that allows O’Reilly to step up a level after his productive season in League Two. However, Posh are likely to want to buy O’Reilly, as they did Harry Leonard this summer, the latest exciting talent to walk out at London Road.
Should Hayes attract interest, Peterborough may be willing to sanction a sale if the right offer arrives, particularly if they are able to secure O’Reilly as part of their plans to refresh the attacking areas of the squad.
For now, interest in both players remains at an early stage, but with clubs across the EFL already monitoring O’Reilly’s progress, Peterborough appear determined to ensure they are firmly in the race should Aston Villa decide to move their talented youngster on.
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