Barnsley told they are making the right Reyes Cleary demands as Blackburn Rovers linger | OneFootball

FLW's Barnsley fan pundit has given his reaction to reports that the club are demanding £5 million for Blackburn Rovers target Reyes Cleary.

With the January transfer window now open for business, it seems Barnsley forward Reyes Cleary is a man in demand.

After scoring six goals and providing two assists in 20 appearances during an impressive loan spell at National League side Hartlepool United in the second half of last season, Cleary was offered a new deal by parent club West Bromwich Albion in the summer.

Despite that, Cleary did not put pen to paper on a contract extension at The Hawthorns and instead joined League One outfit Barnsley, signing a three-year deal at Oakwell with the option of a fourth.

Cleary has starred for the Tykes this season, scoring five goals and providing nine assists in 24 appearances in all competitions so far, but it has been a challenging campaign for his side, with Conor Hourihane's men currently sitting 17th in the table, just two points clear of the relegation zone.

It appears Cleary's stunning individual form has not gone unnoticed, and while the January window may only have been open for a matter of days, he has reportedly already been the subject of a bid, with journalist Alan Nixon claiming Championship strugglers Blackburn Rovers have offered £1 million plus extras for the 21-year-old.

However, Rovers may need to increase their bid significantly if they are to land Cleary's signature, with Barnsley said to have slapped a £5 million price tag on his head, and that has put his potential move to Ewood Park this month in doubt.

Barnsley claim made on Reyes Cleary after £5 million reveal as Blackburn Rovers circle

When asked for his reaction to reports that the Tykes are demanding £5 million for Cleary, FLW's Barnsley fan pundit Andy Symcox admitted he would be surprised if the board had set a limit on how much they could receive for their prized asset, and he insisted that the forward would be a worthwhile investment for clubs from higher divisions.

"We signed Reyes Cleary on a free in the summer from West Brom as we saw he had a good deal of talent," Andy told FLW.

"He is strong, stocky with a low centre of gravity, can move the ball quickly and is lighting quick.

"He can take the ball inside or outside, so it is difficult for defenders to determine which way he is going to attack them.

"He is only 21 years of age, so there is potentially a great deal yet to come from him, and it's no surprise that other clubs are starting to recognise what Barnsley saw in the summer.

"It's also no surprise that one of our ex-head coaches, Valerien Ismael, is interested in Cleary.

"For me, I would be surprised if we had put any fixed price tag on him like the alleged £5 million, which is incidentally the same amount that it was alleged we had put on Davis Keillor-Dunn's head.

"There is no doubt that any suitor for his services would be getting two potential results.

"Firstly, he can make a difference to a team now with his fast, strong running at defenders, but as a 21-year-old, he is far from the finished article and is a raw talent with exceptional potential.

"Anyone who wishes to buy Reyes Cleary's services are getting a two-fold benefit, him as a player now, but also with a ridiculous amount of potential for many years to come.

"If we indeed have put anything like a price tag of £5 million for other clubs to purchase him, it is certainly not over the top.

"In today's market, it could be a conservative amount, which is why I would be surprised if we have put such a limit on how much it would cost another club to buy him.

"He's certainly a player to watch."

Barnsley could be set to land big Reyes Cleary windfall amid Blackburn Rovers interest

Barnsley will be incredibly reluctant to lose Cleary this month, particularly at a time when they are starting to be dragged into a relegation battle in League One, but they may be unable to prevent his departure.

Cleary has produced strong numbers for the Tykes this season, and he has had plenty of standout moments along the way, including a remarkable 60-yard strike in the 2-2 draw at Bradford City in October, while he was also named the EFL Young Player of the Month for November.

It remains to be seen whether Blackburn or any other club will be willing to meet Cleary's valuation over the coming weeks, but if Barnsley do cash in on him before the end of the window, they will at least bank a significant profit on a player they signed on a free transfer in the summer.