Barnsley are in a two-way battle to sign Falkirk‘s Dylan Tait as the midfielder’s future in Scotland remains in doubt.
The 24-year-old has played a key role in the Bairns’ ascent back up to the SPFL Premiership, playing 33 games in their promotion-winning season and this campaign has already eclipsed that total and also aided the club to the Scottish Cup semi-finals.
Contract Standoff Lures Tykes
However, Tait’s future in Stirlingshire is now in doubt, with reports from the Daily Record stating that two League One clubs in Barnsley and Plymouth Argyle are eyeing up a free transfer swoop for the defensive midfielder should his contract expire at the end of May.
The Tykes are heading into an uncertain future after a turbulent few weeks, with the club admitting they would be reducing their budget going forward later combined with the departure of manager Conor Hourihane, come the end of their final game against Stockport County this weekend.
Plymouth, meanwhile, are still in a battle to secure a playoff place but face long odds in order to break into the top six, needing multiple results to go in their favour for Tom Cleverley’s side to have a chance at reaching Wembley.
Argyle will be seeking new options in the middle of the pitch over the upcoming window, having lost loanee Herbie Kane to a season-ending injury at the start of April, and could also be joined by Joe Ralls out of the door as his short-term deal expires.
Falkirk manager John McGlynn has commented on the current state of play in trying to tie Tait down to a new deal at the Bairns, stating:
“That’s been ongoing for a long time, that’s been pre-Christmas. So I wouldn’t suggest that it is looking good… but we don’t know for sure.
“We’ve been negotiating for this length of time, so, I don’t know.”
Argyle Hold Key Advantage
Dylan Tait has been a consistent talent for Falkirk over the past two seasons, helping them finally return to the Scottish Premiership and have had a fairly successful debut season which has guaranteed them a top-half finish.
However, the 24-year-old now looks to be considering his future options and has already gained interest from English sides in Barnsley and Plymouth Argyle.
Out of two possible destinations in Barnsley and Plymouth Argyle, it is the latter which may be the more alluring prospect to join despite how far away Home Park is from his native Scotland.
The Pilgrims seem to have found their feet under Tom Cleverley after a very shaky start, and now have a very strong core to build upon heading into the summer, regardless of if they fall short of the playoffs.
While Lorent Tolaj may leave amid repeated links to the Championship, Argyle will have a lot of talent to pick from in players like Caleb Watts, Bim Pepple and former St. Mirren man Owen Oseni who will have a bigger role to play if the Swiss forward leaves.
Holes in the middle of the pitch necessitate moves for new midfielders in the summer, and with Tait on the verge of being out of contract, sealing a free transfer for a top-flight experienced player would be a no-brainer.
