NIALL HORAN TO UMG?

First Liam, and now Niall. Is another One Direction star set to sign to UMG? If a rumor started by Blighty’s tabloids are anything to go by, Niall Horan is the second 1D member to be tapped by Universal.

There’s no word from the label yet, but Daily Star has reported that Niall has “snubbed” Simon Cowell’s SYCO - 1D’s Sony label - thanks to an offer he couldn't refuse from Universal.

A source reportedly told the paper that Cowell “made a number of big money offers to try and persuade Niall to sign up but, in the end, Universal came in and put even more money on the table.”

They continued: “They’re chuffed to have got one over on Cowell and have taken one of 1D. Universal said they would pay Niall whatever it took.

“They heard his solo music and they all think it’s got good potential. They really had to throw the dollars at him but they think it’s worth it.” Cowell was keen to keep Niall at Sony, saying he hoped to make an announcement about the singer making a deal with SYCO in the summer.

Liam Payne signed with Nick Raphael's UMG U.K. imprint Capitol in July. ZAYN was the first to stay with Sony after joining RCA when leaving the band prematurely last year, and Harry Styles was landed by Rob Stringer's Columbia after a fierce bidding war.

Is Horan still managed by Richard Griffiths and Harry Magee at Modest!? There’s evidence to suggest so—Horan launched his Modest-backed golf agency Modest Golf Management earlier this year.

The battle to sign 1D members proves the rivalry between Universal and Sony is as hot as ever. Who will be the winner when it comes to solo act launch time? Stay tuned.