Barnsley and Plymouth Argyle plotting raids for top-flight contract rebel midfielder | OneFootball

League One duo Barnsley and Plymouth Argyle are both eyeing a free transfer swoop for Falkirk star Dylan Tait.

Barnsley and Plymouth Argyle are both putting plans in place for the upcoming summer transfer window.

The Tykes, who are parting company with boss Conor Hourihane at the end of the season, are guaranteed to remain in League One ahead of next campaign, whereas Argyle can still win promotion to the Championship.

Tom Cleverley's men will book their spot in the third-tier play-offs if they beat already relegated Northampton Town this Saturday, and both Stevenage and Luton Town drop points.

In contrast, Barnsley currently sit 13th in the League One table with one game remaining, and are vying to achieve the less glamorous feat of a top-half finish.

Plymouth Argyle and Barnsley in free transfer battle for Falkirk star

Both Barnsley and Plymouth will have to strengthen their respective squads in the summer transfer window, while Cleverley could have to ready his side for life in the Championship.

Argyle know the challenges posed by the second tier all too well, having suffered relegation to League One at the end of last season.

According to the Daily Record, the Tykes and the Pilgrims are both keen on Falkirk midfielder Dylan Tait, whose contract with the Scottish Premiership outfit expires this summer.

Speaking to the Record, Falkirk boss John McGlynn revealed that talks between his club and the 24-year-old over a new deal haven't progressed well: "That's been ongoing for a long time, that's been pre-Christmas.

"So I wouldn't suggest that it is looking good. But we don't know for sure. We've been negotiating for this length of time, so I don't know."

Tait initially moved to Falkirk on loan in the winter of 2024 before making the permanent switch to McGlynn's side later that year, and played a key role in their back-to-back promotions from Scottish League One to the Premiership.

The former Hibernian man has subsequently helped the Bairns land a top-six spot in the first season back in the top flight.

Falkirk's success in the Scottish Premiership this term has gone somewhat under the radar because of Hearts' shock title challenge, while Motherwell are currently fourth, having failed to finish in the top six last term.

Tait has featured in all 34 of the Bairns' top-flight fixtures, scoring three goals and producing one assist in the process.

Tom Cleverley factor can help Plymouth Argyle beat Barnsley in Dylan Tait transfer race

The fact that Barnsley have eyed a free transfer swoop for Tait shows that the Tykes are already making recruitment plans even though they are yet to appoint Hourihane's replacement.

However, the 24-year-old should want to wait and see who the Oakwell Stadium club's manager will be before deciding whether he wants to move to South Yorkshire.

In contrast, Plymouth have shown great faith in current boss Cleverley by retaining his services even though they were in the relegation zone midway through the League One season.

Those developments suggest that even if the Pilgrims fail to win promotion back to the Championship, owner Simon Hallett will keep Cleverley in the dugout.