The Canaries have finally landed one of their prime transfer targets in Blackpool winger Wes Hoolahan - but are reported to have missed out with an eleventh-hour attempt to sign Leicester striker Iain Hume.

The Canaries have finally landed one of their prime transfer targets in Blackpool winger Wes Hoolahan - but are reported to have missed out with an eleventh-hour attempt to sign Leicester striker Iain Hume.

The Canada international signed for Barnsley yesterday in a £1.2million move.

Barnsley boss Simon Davey claimed he beat three rival Championship clubs to 24-year-old Hume's signature, including City.

He said: “Wolves and Preston were interested and Norwich came in at the death. It is a significant coup for Barnsley. The fact he chose to come here is fantastic.”

Edinburgh-born Hume scored 11 times for Leicester last season and was on target in the 4-0 win over Norwich.

Hoolahan, meanwhile, says the chance of a crack at Premier League football was behind his decision to join Glenn Roeder's Canaries.

The 26-year-old has agreed a three-year deal which will cost City an estimated £500,000 - plus goalkeeper Matthew Gilks, who is heading in the opposite direction having failed to break David Marshall's monopoly on the number one jersey.

“I am delighted to be joining Norwich City,” said Hoolahan. “I had several options, but as soon as I met the manager and saw the facilities, I knew Norwich City were a club that matched my ambitions.

“I want to play Premier League football as soon as possible and I feel that this move will give me that opportunity.

“Norwich City have a fantastic fan base and play the type of football that suits my game.”

The Hoolahan and Gilks moves were reported on City's official website to be subject to Football League and FA approval.

But City chief executive Neil Doncaster said it was not connected with a long-running cash dispute between Blackpool and Hoolahan's previous club, Livingston.

“We raised it with the FA but it was not an issue,” he said.

The reference to League and FA approval was made only because Blackpool announced the deal before the paperwork was complete, said Doncaster.

Roeder clearly believes he has found a new hero in Hoolahan.

“He can thread a ball through the eye of a needle and I am sure our fans will love him,” he said.

“I've been following the progress of Wes since I first saw him in our away game at Bloomfield Road,” said Roeder. “I felt he was a threat to us throughout the match, even though we won the game.

“When he played for Blackpool at Carrow Road, he was the outstanding player on the pitch. Every time he got the ball he threatened. We've been looking at him now for around five or six months and I can't tell you how pleased I am to secure his signature.”

Hoolahan, 26, who made his Republic of Ireland debut against Colombia last month, was with Blackpool for two seasons, having joined from Livingston. He scored 16 goals in 99 games for the Seasiders.

He becomes Roeder's second signing of the summer, following Sammy Clingan's move from Nottingham Forest last week.

Gilks, 26, failed to make a first team appearance for the Canaries last season after arriving from Rochdale on a free transfer a year ago and signing a two-year contract. He played eight reserve games but is now on his way back to his native north-west.

“Matty leaves us after one season,” said Roeder. “I felt that with him being an experienced goalkeeper, he needed to get back to playing first team football.

“With the excellent young keepers we have at the club now, including David Marshall, I couldn't see Matt playing too much football here and I felt it was the right thing to let him go.”

Meanwhile, City target David Bell is being chased by relegated Reading, according to reports.

The Luton midfielder is wanted by Steve Coppell as a replacement for James Harper, who has been linked with a move to Middlesbrough.

City had a bid for Bell turned down in May, with Luton claiming their man was being undervalued. Reading may pay £400,000.