How will Barnsley approach the transfer window?
Current squad
Positions needed to recruit in
Goalkeeper. It’s pretty obvious that we need a new number 1 for next season. I think we need a permanent keeper. Following the uncertainty brought in the following windows after loan players Harry Isted and Liam Roberts departed.
LWB A must. We were thin here even before Nicky Cadden’s departure. Will be looking for a regular starter and backup. Especially given the assumption that Callum Styles is to leave.
Central midfielder Conor Hourihane’s welcomed arrival has already bulked up the bodies in midfield. But I still feel we could do with another midfielder, a creative and forward-thinking player. Especially given Josh Benson and Matty Wolfe’s injury record.
Striker The six first team strikers who are currently in the building scored a combined 11 League goals for Barnsley last season (incl play offs.). Which is less than the departing Devante Cole (18 goals) and John McAtee (12 goals). We will be hoping that Darrell Clarke will bring the best out of the strikers already in the building, of course but another player is definitely needed.
Where to recruit from
The below graphics show the different divisions that Barnsley recruited from across the past 2 windows and I will take this into account for the players I suggest. I expect a larger proportion of signings from League 1 and 2, due to Darrell Clarke’s knowledge of the leagues as well as the need for regular starters in various positions.
COREY ADDAI (26) CRAWLEY TOWN
Corey Addai shone for Crawley Town in League 2 last season. His stats certainly show that, most notably in terms of goals prevented.
His expressive style impressed fans last season. The graphic below shows his touch map, just 26 minutes into the play-off semi final.
He was on Barnsley’s books as a youngster but a certain Mr Conway shipped him off to Denmark.
He has a year left on his contract and won’t be short of suitors, Crawley will be eager to keep hold of him too. He will demand a transfer fee - so that will be a variable. But an ideal signing no doubt.
JOE WILDSMITH (28) FREE
If the club are to look for a free transfer - they could look at Joe Wildsmith, who despite winning the golden glove in League 1 last season has been released by Derby. Darrell Clarke included him in his EFL team of the season.
20 clean sheets in 40 games last season. Barnsley could do a lot worse on a free transfer.
LUKE SOUTHWOOD (26) FREE
The 26 year old goalkeeper made 92 successive League 1 starts for Cheltenham - starting every game over the past 2 seasons. He’s a full international for Northern Ireland and made 26 championship appearances for Reading.
However, he broke his leg in the last game of the season. But I still believe he’d be a great player to have on our books. An ideal keeper at League 1 level and available on a free. Despite the injury, a good option long term
Arthur Okonkwo (22)
Another young goalkeeper who impressed in League 2 last season. Arthur Okonkwo kept 14 clean sheets on his way to automatic promotion with Wrexham.
Just 22 and available on a free transfer after being released by Arsenal.
Again, he will have lots of interest, so perhaps unrealistic.
Alternative options: Harry Isted & Liam Roberts
Left Wing Back
RIO ADEBISI (23) FREE
Rio Adebisi is out of contract after rejecting a new contract at Crewe. He’s a balanced left wing-back who impressed in Crewe’s League 2 play-off campaign. He featured in every game last season for Crewe, contributing with 4 goals and 7 assists.
MATTHEW BONDSWELL (22) FREE
A player Barnsley were after in January. Matthew Bondswell is now available for free after being released by Newcastle United. Unlikely to be a regular starter - but with the depth in this position I think 2 players are needed.
Bondswell has clear talent having played in the RB Leipzig and Newcastle academies as well as for England from u15 level all the way through to u18 level. I think he’s a player we could develop over time and would be a solid backup.
Central Midfield
LEWIS BATE (21) FREE
A player of good pedigree, Lewis Bate spent 10 years in Chelsea’s academy before signing for Leeds in 2021 for a reported fee of £1.5 million. He’s also featured for England’s youth teams but now finds himself as a free agent having been released by Leeds. He previously spent time on loan at MK Dons and Oxford.
Like Bondswell, he’s cheap and young with a lot of potential. He’s a player I can see us being interested in. He’s unlikely to come in as a regular starter but definitely a good coup for the future.
MARC LEONARD (22) est £350k
An ambitious suggestion here. Marc Leonard had a very strong season on loan at Northampton. Reports suggest Leonard has been made available for transfer by Brighton with an estimated fee of around £350k.
He’s of a good age and has already proven to be a quality operator at League 1 level. As such he would definitely justify the fee and would be an ideal replacement for Herbie Kane.
It’s no surprise that many clubs will be looking to sign Leonard for next season and we would face some pretty fierce competition for his signature.
CHRIS CONN CLARKE (22)
If the Reds were to go to the National League again for summer signings, Chris Conn Clarke could be a shrewd signing. Already getting eyed up by numerous EFL clubs, Conn Clarke scored 23 goals last season whilst assisting 11.
He operates as an attacking midfielder but can play as a striker too. I could see him being a long-term replacement for Adam Phillips.
As mentioned, he’s already been linked with many EFL clubs, with Peterborough reportedly having a bid rejected. Altrincham would likely demand a 6 figure sum, which would contrast with Barnsley's national league signings of last season, all of which were free.
Striker
LOUIE BARRY (20)
When he was just 16, he found PSG and Barcelona fighting over him. He then spent a year in Barcelona’s academy before joining Aston Villa.
He made headlines after lining up against Liverpool in the FA Cup, after many of Aston Villa’s first team squad caught Covid, meaning Villa’s u21s had to face Liverpool. Barry scored in a 4-1 loss and earned strong praise from Jurgen Klopp.
He recently gained EFL experience with loan moves to Ipswich, Swindon, Mk Dons, Salford and most recently Stockport. He scored 9 goals in 21 games last season for Stockport in their League 2 winning side.
Again, a player who is likely to fetch a lot of interest but this is the calibre of player I think we should be looking at.
MAX DEAN (20)
If Barnsley were to splash the cash on a new striker, I could see it being on Max Dean. At just 20 years old, he had a strong campaign in League 2 last season: scoring 15 goals and assisting 5 in 29 appearances. However, he would command a big fee and the club could struggle to justify paying that - based on just 1 strong season.
WILL EVANS(26)
If we were to look to League 2 for a new striker, Will Evans could be another option. He scored 21 goals and assisted 3 last season for struggling side Newport County. He spent time in the Welsh League before moving to the EFL.
Strangely enough, he played as a Left Wing Back the season before last. He has 1 year left on his contract, still only 26 and will provide cover in 2 areas where it is needed.
A cheaper option than Max Dean too, out of all the suggestions I’ve made I could see this one being the most likely to come to fruition.
Finally here’s how the squad would look following these additions.