Barnsley are on the cusp of finalising a loan deal to sign Blackburn Rovers defender Connor O’Riordan.
The Tykes are on the lookout for new defensive options in the final weeks of the window, following on from the sale of Mael de Gevigney to Silkesborg on top of an expected move for Kacper Lopata, who, according to Pete O’Rourke, is set to join Lechia Gdansk.
Buy Clause Revealed
Now, in their attempts to further bolster their backline ahead of the deadline next week, Barnsley have landed on Connor O’Riordan as their top target and are already closing in on a deal for the 22-year-old.
According to Sky Sports’ Anthony Joseph, Blackburn are currently finalising a deal with the Oakwell club to send their centre-back to the League One club after successfully completing a medical.
It is also revealed that this deal will give Daniel Stendel an option to recruit the former Doncaster Rovers loanee permanently, with a £500,000 plus add-ons optional buy clause inserted into the terms.
O’Riordan has had a successive string of loan moves across the EFL in recent years, having played for Grant McCann’s side during the first half of last season on top of stints at Crewe Alexandra, Cambridge United and a brief spell with Raith Rovers in Scotland.
He was called upon to become a backup at Ewood Park over the final months of the last campaign, making five Championship appearances in January and February before Hayden Carter’s recovery from injury pushed him back onto the bench.
Good Addition For Tykes, But Is More Needed?
With Mael de Gevigney and Kacper Lopata allowed to move on this summer, Barnsley quickly needed to find a replacement to ensure they had adequate depth, and have done so in the form of Connor O’Riordan.
Having been a regular for Doncaster Rovers prior to his recall from Blackburn Rovers, the 22-year-old is more than adept at the League One level and should be an encouraging move to make for the club, especially with a buy option included should he impress enough.
During his spell at the Eco-Power he impressed particularly with his passing skills, but still had some room to grow across his whole game, and with a full campaign at Oakwell, should be able to develop further.
However, amid rumours that Josh Earl could be on his way to Blackpool, it may be a case that a further addition is needed to support new addition Sam Gale on top of Jack Shepherd.
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