Late Barnsley, Reyes Cleary twist emerges - Derby County, Millwall and Stoke linked | OneFootball

Barnsley forward Reyes Cleary has submitted a transfer request on deadline day as numerous Championship clubs lurk

Barnsley star Reyes Cleary has submitted a transfer request in the final hours of the summer window in a bid to force through a move away from Oakwell before the deadline, with numerous Championship clubs having previously monitored his situation.

According to Sky Sports' Mark McAdam, Barnsley forward Cleary has stated his intention to leave the club before the 11 pm deadline today by submitting a transfer request.

Cleary enjoyed a standout year in League One under Conor Hourihane, and has attracted interest from numerous Championship sides over the summer, but with a deal yet to have been agreed, the winger has taken matters into his own hands in an attempt to force through a move.

Reyes Cleary has submitted a transfer request as the likes of Derby County, Millwall, and Stoke City lurk

Action images

Cleary, 22, came through the ranks at West Brom, but made just seven first-team appearances for the Black Country outfit, instead earning first-team experience out on loan with Walsall and Hartlepool United to varying degrees of success.

After nine direct goal contributions in 20 National League games for the Monkey Hangers, Cleary would be allowed to leave West Brom on a free transfer last summer, as Barnsley took a punt on the winger, one that has paid off and then some.

The Tykes have knocked back bids worth as much as £3 million from numerous Championship clubs earlier on in the window, and up until this stage, have stood firm in their valuation of their star asset, whose contract isn’t due to expire until the summer of 2028.

Now, with just hours remaining until the deadline, Cleary is looking to force Barnsley’s hand into a transfer, with McAdam reporting that each of Blackburn Rovers, Bristol City, Derby County, Millwall, and Stoke City have all monitored the players’ situation over the last year.

Why Championship clubs want to sign Reyes Cleary

Action Images

Cleary, having shone in the fifth tier during the second half of the 2024/25 campaign, made the leap to the third tier last summer with Barnsley, and took to League One like a duck to water.

The Englishman scored seven and grabbed 13 assists in 42 league games for Barnsley from the left flank in his first year playing at that level, and has begun this campaign with one goal and one assist in the Tykes' opening three games of the season.

Derby are looking for a wide option in the final stages of the window after Jaydon Banel and Ben Brereton Diaz returned to their parent clubs from their loans, Millwall are braced for the exit of Femi Azeez, whilst Stoke are prepared to part ways with Sorba Thomas.

Whilst he won't come cheap, and certainly not at this stage of the window, with Barnsley having little time to source a replacement, Cleary is the obvious candidate for every Championship club needing a winger in the final stages of the window.

Reyes Cleary could remain at Barnsley despite transfer request

Action Images

McAdam has reported that whilst numerous Championship clubs are interested in Cleary, a deal remains far from simple at this stage of the window, with it being uncertain whether he will be at Oakwell beyond 11 pm tonight or not.

Barnsley will certainly hope he stays despite his transfer request, with the Yorkshire outfit targeting a place in the play-offs this year under Daniel Stendel.