Barnsley owners hailed for Reyes Cleary transfer stance - Tykes are no longer an "easy touch" | OneFootball

FLW's Barnsley fan pundit, Andy Symcox, praised his club for retaining Reyes Cleary this summer amid a late flurry of Championship interest.

Barnsley managed to retain star player Reyes Cleary this summer despite plenty of interest from the Championship, and a reported last-minute transfer request being handed in by the player.

Cleary was one of League One's breakout stars last season after arriving in Yorkshire from West Brom, with rumblings surrounding his future going right down to the wire on deadline day.

Barnsley retain star Reyes Cleary despite alleged late transfer request

Action images

It's been a busy summer at Oakwell, with former gaffer Daniel Stendel taking charge for a second spell after a disappointing 15th place finish last season.

Despite a disappointing campaign, the constant shining light for Barnsley was the form of winger Cleary, who scored seven goals and chipped in with 13 assists in 42 League One outings.

This saw interest arise from multiple Championship clubs in the summer transfer window, with unconfirmed reports suggesting that the 22-year-old handed in a transfer request with just a few hours remaining in the window on deadline day.

However, the Tykes managed to retain their star player beyond the 11pm deadline last Tuesday, which could represent the best piece of business the club did throughout the entire summer.

Barnsley board credited for holding firm on Reyes Cleary transfer stance

Action Images

After the transfer window slammed shut, Football League World spoke to their resident Barnsley expert, Andy Symcox, to gather his thoughts on his club retaining their star attacker in Cleary.

"In this day and age of social media, it is difficult to ascertain what is true and what's made up rumours and stories," Andy told FLW.

"In the case of Reyes Cleary reportedly putting in a transfer request on deadline day, a few hours before the window was due to close, I'm very skeptical that would've been the case given Reyes' character.

"However, even if it was the case, the club has its own valuation of presumably every player and Reyes is no different to any of the others.

"If other clubs want to sign any of our players, including Reyes, then they would have to at least meet the valuation that the club put on them.

"It is pretty clear that has not been the case, and I am personally thrilled that Reyes remains a Barnsley player.

"He's started the season extremely well and, bearing in mind that last season was his first full season in league football, he can only get better, and is highly likely to do so under the tutelage of Daniel Stendel.

"No longer are Barnsley Football Club an easy touch for other clubs to plunder their players, and I applaud the board and the owners for this."

Retaining Cleary is a reassuring change of direction for Barnsley fans

Action Images

Much of the criticism around Barnsley over recent years is that they've sold players for big fees, but haven't reinvested the money they received back into the playing squad to help take them to that next level.

Going into the window, many supporters would've likely believed the same would happen with Cleary, but the Tykes' hierarchy has held firm on their valuation of the player throughout the summer, which has ultimately seen them retain him.

The board clearly felt that the winger is an integral part of Stendel's setup, and the German boss can help develop him even further, which could raise his valuation higher than it was in the summer.