Blackburn and Ipswich to battle Burnley for Hearts defender | OneFootball

Championship duo Blackburn Rovers and Ipswich Town, along with Premier League side Burnley, are keen on signing Hearts left-back Alex Cochrane in the January transfer window.

That's according to a report from Football Insider, who say that the trio have all registered their interest in a deal for the 23-year-old.

Cochrane catching the eye in Scotland

Having come through the youth ranks at Brighton, Cochrane only ever made two senior appearances for the Premier League club, both of which were in the League Cup.

After a loan spell with Belgian side Union SG during the 2020/21 season that was cut short by injury, Cochrane then joined Hearts on loan in the summer of 2021.

That move to Tynecastle was made permanent 12 months later, and in total, Cochrane has made 108 appearances in all competitions for Hearts, scoring five goals and providing 13 assists in that time.

Now it seems as though that form could be about to set the full-back up for a potential return to England.

Championship and Premier League interest in Cochrane

According to this latest update from Football Insider, Blackburn and Ipswich are both keen on Cochrane this month, and could offer him a move to the Championship.

However, he may also have the chance to move to the Premier League, with Burnley also thought to be keen on his services.

Although primarily a left-back, the 23-year-old is also capable of playing in a range of midfield roles, offering useful versatility to those interested clubs.

As things stand, there are 18 months remaining on his contract with Hearts, securing his future at Tynecastle until the end of the 2024/25 season.

That means Hearts will have some scope to negotiate any offer that comes in for Cochrane, between now and the window closing on February 1st.

Mixed seasons for Championship clubs linked with Cochrane

Things have gone rather differently for the two Championship clubs interested in Cochrane so far this season.

Following their promotion from League One last season, Ipswich are now second in the Championship, and well in contention for another promotion, this time to the Premier League.

By contrast, a run of one win in their last ten league games has seen Blackburn slip to 17th in the second-tier standings, and they are now looking somewhat nervously over their shoulder at the relegation zone.

Cochrane could be a useful signing for Blackburn or Ipswich

It does feel as though this would be a good piece of business for one of these Championship sides to get done this month.

Cochrane's versatility, and the fact he has some considerable experience playing at a high level from his time with Hearts, mean he would provide some useful attributes for these interested teams.

Indeed, that means he could add some welcome either for Ipswich looking to get over the line in the race for promotion, or Blackburn, who need further options in a small squad ravaged by injury.