Barnsley are set to part ways with another first-team player, before next week’s transfer deadline – following an accepted offer.
Daniel Stendel’s side have had a challenging start to their League One campaign, slipping to defeat against newly-promoted Bromley on home soil before being held by Doncaster Rovers at the weekend.
The club have already had a relatively busy summer, bringing in the likes of Cameron McGeehan and Tyrese Noslin whilst saying goodbye to a handful of others including Eoghan O’Connell, David McGoldrick and Adam Phillips.
However, before next week’s deadline it appears that at least one more first-team player will be leaving the football club.
Barnsley set for defensive exit
Though Barnsley are yet to record a victory in regular time, they have conceded less than a goal per game thus far, which may explain why one of their defensive options is yet to feature this season.
The individual in question is Polish centre-back Kacper Lopata, who spent the entirety of last season out on loan in League Two and hasn’t played a competitive fixture for Barnsley since August 2024, featuring during a defeat to Manchester United’s U21s in the EFL Trophy.
Lopata appears out of favour at Oakwell, and thus looks increasingly likely to leave the League One side in the coming week.
As reported by journalist Pete O’Rourke, Barnsley have agreed a deal with Polish side Lechia Gdansk for the transfer of Kacper Lopata – though no figure has been revealed as of yet.
The 24-year-old is set to sign a three-year contract with the Polish second-division side, with the task of trying to help them seal an immediate return to the top flight.
Lopata joined Barnsley back in July 2023 from National League side Woking, but failed to lodge a starting place on a consistent basis and spent time on loan at Port Vale, Ross County, Bristol Rovers and most recently Walsall.
Is this the right decision?
Sometimes in football, deals ‘make sense’ and with Lopata, a return to his native Poland is a move that suits him.
Despite his experience in League One with Barnsley, he rarely held down a starting position and has spent the vast majority of his time out on loan.
He spent all of last season in League Two and hasn’t featured once so far this season, suggesting that his exit was always on the cards.
Barnsley have retained key winger Reyes Cleary so far, but in doing so – it’s limited their potential transfer budget for this summer.
Lopata was under contract with the club until June 2027, suggesting that his transfer to Lechia Gdansk could bring some finances into the club, which could in-turn help them strengthen themselves before the end of the transfer window.
With the 24-year-old being out of favour at Oakwell, his exit will allow him to get more minutes in his home nation as well as raising finances for the League One side in the process.
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