Derby and Wigan Athletic are chasing Barnsley midfielder Brian Howard.
West Brom manager Tony Mowbray has also joined the race for free-scoring Howard.
Premier League strugglers Derby have been looking at the 24-year-old, who is rated at £3million by the Tykes, but is valued closer to £1m by the clubs interested in him.
Wigan are also in the hunt but their priority, for now, remains appointing a new manager.