Huddersfield Town suffer transfer setback as experienced Burnley player snubs Terriers | OneFootball

Experienced Burnley striker Ashley Barnes has reportedly turned down a move to Huddersfield Town.

Huddersfield Town find themselves in a potentially promising position in League One, but they have now been snubbed by experienced Burnley striker Ashley Barnes in a bid to bolster their attacking options.

Having parted company with Lee Grant earlier this month, the Terriers would have been expected to propel themselves back towards the top two in the final couple of months of this season.

Underperforming Town made the seemingly impressive appointment of former Bristol City boss Liam Manning recently, and a dramatic 3-2 defeat of Peterborough United at London Road on Saturday afternoon has made it three victories on the bounce.

They sit tucked just inside the top six and the play-off places, but they have been dealt a bit of a blow in the winter transfer window, with Burnley man Ashley Barnes turning a move down.

Huddersfield snubbed by Burnley striker Ashley Barnes

According to journalist Pete O’Rourke, Huddersfield are set to miss out on the signing of Ashley Barnes before the close of the transfer window tomorrow evening.

It is believed that the Terriers made a move to offer the 36-year-old more regular football than what he gets at Turf Moor, with his contract coming to an end once more at the end of the current campaign, but it has been claimed that the veteran attacker has opted to remain in Lancashire, in a bid to try and fight for his place with the Clarets in the Premier League.

Huddersfield have been reasonably busy in the market once again, with the permanent additions of both Jak Alnwick and Bali Mumba, as well as the loan addition of Cameron Humphreys.

Barnes would have been fighting for a striking spot alongside the likes of Dion Charles, Bojan Radulovic and Alfie May at the John Smith’s Stadium, following the departure of Joe Taylor on loan to Wigan Athletic, albeit Rdaulovic has been sidelined through injury and May is currently serving a four-game ban - Swansea City striker Bobby Wales looks to be joining on loan, but the experience of Barnes won't be.

Ashley Barnes is on the periphery at Burnley - Huddersfield Town switch could've been good for him

Bath-born Barnes initially moved to Turf Moor in the 2014 January transfer window from Brighton and Hove Albion and went on to make almost 300 appearances for the Lancastrians in a nine-and-a-half-year stint at the club.

He departed in 2023 for a year and a half spell with Norwich City before returning to Burnley a year or so ago, again helping them gain promotion to the top-flight.

In the Premier League, Barnes has been on the periphery of things for Scott Parker’s side, making just two appearances in the league so far this season, but he offers a lot of experience and nous in the dressing room.

Huddersfield have moved themselves into the top six and the play-off places in League One and, based on their interest in Barnes, appear keen on strengthening their squad in the final third, and Barnes playing an important part on the pitch in their push to return to the Championship could've been a good fit.

Even though Barnes is unlikely to find the game-time he desires at Burnley, he's clearly wanting to stick around in the top flight, which means the Terriers must look elsewhere.