Barnsley told to demand major 7-figure Davis Keillor-Dunn transfer fee - "there could be a bidding war" | OneFootball

FLW's Barnsley fan pundit has had his say on Davis Keillor-Dunn's situation at the club this January.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

January is set to be a big month for Barnsley, with Conor Hourihane looking to add to his squad and improve in key areas, rather than lose crucial parts of their team to clubs higher up the food chain.

Barnsley are 10 points off the play-offs but with three or four games in hand on many of the side in the mix. However, as exclusively revealed by Football League World, Davis Keillor-Dunn could exit Barnsley this month.

Barnsley reportedly spent around £700,000 to secure Keillor-Dunn from Mansfield Town after an eye-catching haul of 22 goals and 10 assists helped fire the Stags back to League One in the 2023/24 campaign.

With Charlton Athletic and Middlesbrough having both been linked with potential moves last summer, Barnsley were said to be holding out for a significant multi-million pound offer to part ways with Keillor-Dunn - which did not amount to anything in the end.

Barnsley view given on Davis Keillor-Dunn transfer situation

We asked FLW's Barnsley fan pundit Andy Symcox for his immediate reaction to our exclusive and for the sort of price tag he would want to put on Keillor-Dunn's head having had interest from Championship clubs.

Andy told FLW: "To be honest, I'd have been surprised if other clubs weren't interested in signing Davis Keillor-Dunn, as he is next to the top scorer in League One this season and he's scored many goals last season.

"He would be an asset to many clubs at League One and Championship level. Given our current position — both financially and in the league — it would not completely surprise me if we were willing to sell him for the right price.

"But I would have to say that I think most clubs have a price for their biggest assets. We are no different to any other club. In the past, there have been reports that we are willing to accept £5 million for him.

"Again, that is a 'report' rather than anything, to my understanding, that has come from the club itself. Given that he is proving for the second season in a row that he is one of the league's top goalscorers, I would say this is the minimum amount of money that we should accept.

"If many clubs are interested in him, then there could be a bidding war. But it would have an incredibly detrimental effect on our season, given that we are two points above the relegation zone."

Davis Keillor-Dunn's Barnsley goal and assist record is sensational - but his contract situation could be pivotal

The 28-year-old is in the final 18 months of his contract at Oakwell, but his versatility has to be something teams are keen on.

For the likes of Oldham Athletic, Mansfield, and Barnsley, Keillor-Dunn has operated as a wide forward, an attacking midfielder, and an in an out-and-out striker role.

Per Transfermarkt, he has 33 goals and six assists for Barnsley in 74 games. On top of that remarkable Mansfield record as well. It makes him a hot commodity and only a handful of players can match his 11 league goals. Can Barnsley replace the output they lose?

If they don't, Barnsley will be looking down the table rather than up it. The Tykes are still well-placed with an exciting young core to kick on and improve in the latter part of the season, but perhaps not without their talisman and best player - his contract expiring in 2027 though creates an interesting dilemma that the Yorkshire outfit need to deal with.