Preston North End and Swansea City have both entered the Championship-wide race for Barnsley star Reyes Cleary as the summer window draws nearer.
The winger has been one of the highlights of an otherwise tough season on and off the field for the Tykes, with six goals and 12 assists across 36 League One appearances this campaign.
Jacks And Lilywhites Join The Chase
According to Alan Nixon through his Patreon page, Cleary has picked up three fresh suitors from the second tier, with Swansea City and Preston North End joining existing suitors Sheffield United in considering a move in the summer.
Cleary was one of the big transfer stories in the January window, with Blackburn Rovers pushing for a move, only to be stifled by a reported £5 million valuation for the former West Bromwich Albion man.
In addition, Hull City are weighing up in submitting offers at the end of the season, with Nixon stating that the Tigers are planning to ‘start spending’ in the near future.
All four of those clubs, alongside any other side which may want to make a move for the 21-year-old, may be buoyed by recent statements from the Barnsley hierarchy, with manager Conor Hourihane admitting their budget will decrease next season.
Nixon stated in another Patreon post that the Oakwell side will reduce their spending to be one of the lowest in League One, with those figure having since been refuted by Tykes CEO Jon Flatman.
Barnsley Finances May Encourage Sale
Alongside David McGoldrick and the since-departed Davis Keillor-Dunn, Barnsley have had few things to shout about this season, but in Reyes Cleary, they have a star for the future.
By far the club’s leading chance creator and playmaker with 12 assists to his name, the winger has had his breakthrough campaign in professional football, most notably through the danger he posed to Liverpool at Anfield in the FA Cup.
However, with Barnsley now keeping a tight leash on their finances for the near future, the Tykes are likely to want to sell, and the first and biggest casualty of that decision could be Cleary, considering the interest.
They are likely to stick close to their previous £5 million valuation with his contract expiring in 2028, but with numerous clubs wanting to sign the 21-year-old, it may be a matter of time as to when he leaves Oakwell permanently.
Blades May Be Leading Destination
Three new clubs have entered the battle in Swansea City, Preston North End and Hull City, but it might be the Tykes’ South Yorkshire rivals in Sheffield United that would be the pick of the options for Cleary if it comes down to his choice.
Chris Wilder has begun to turn around what was a sinking ship, and while only their already relegated Steel City rivals in Sheffield Wednesday have lost more games in the second tier this season, the Blades are likely safe from the bottom three.
It will be a summer of change for the Blades, and with promotion not on the cards anytime soon, that may prompt clubs into action to sign Gus Hamer, who has Premier League pedigree and saw interest in January from European sides.
An exit for the Dutchman could pave the way for Cleary to slot into the first team straight away, and follow in the path of both Ollie Arblaster and Sydie Peck at Bramall Lane under Wilder’s teaching.
