Sheffield United scouting Barnsley ace - Hull, Swansea & Preston also keen on '£8m' man | OneFootball

Sheffield United, Hull City, Preston North End, and Swansea City are all keen on Barnsley star Reyes Cleary

Championship sides, including Sheffield United and Hull City, are already putting the building blocks in place ahead of the summer transfer window.

The Blades defeated the Tigers 2-1 at Bramall Lane on Saturday, thanks to Gustavo Hamer's late penalty and Danny Ings' 88th-minute winner.

However, Chris Wilder's men may still miss out on a top-half finish, whereas Hull occupy a Championship play-off spot with just four games remaining.

The Tigers are now winless in three attempts, though, and must beat Birmingham City in their next fixture to keep top six chasers Wrexham and Derby County at bay.

Sheffield United and Hull City among four clubs keeping tabs on Barnsley winger Reyes Cleary

Reyes Cleary has proven himself as one of the best wingers in League One this season, notching six goals and 12 assists in 36 third-tier appearances for Barnsley.

Consequently, the 21-year-old has attracted attention from Championship clubs in the transfer market, including that of South Yorkshire neighbours Sheffield United.

As reported by Alan Nixon via Patreon in January, Blackburn Rovers bid £1.5million for the 21-year-old's services, and faced rival interest from Bristol City.

Nixon subsequently reported in February that Barnsley want £8m for Cleary.

Now, the journalist has revealed via Patreon on Sunday that Hull, Sheffield United, Preston North End, and Swansea City have been scouting the former West Bromwich Albion man.

Nixon's report added that Cleary's price tag has put off suitors, excluding the four aforementioned clubs, while the Tigers are keen to start spending again at the end of the season, having previously endured an embargo.

The 21-year-old hasn't scored since Barnsley defeated Peterborough United on 17 February, and he was only utilised as a substitute in the Tykes' 3-1 triumph over South Yorkshire rivals Rotherham United on Saturday.

However, Cleary was a standout performer when Conor Hourihane's men were knocked out of the FA Cup by Premier League giants Liverpool in January, and has retained Championship admirers.

Reyes Cleary could be part of Sheffield United summer rebuild

Nixon revealed last month that Barnsley are set to have one of the lowest budgets in League One next season, which surely gives the Oakwell club no chance of retaining Cleary once the summer transfer window opens.

The winger's best performances this term suggest that he is capable of operating in the Championship, whereas the Tykes' monetary restrictions may mean that they will struggle to finish in the League One play-offs next term.

Hull's decision on whether to finalise their swoop for the winger should hinge on whether they clinch promotion to the Premier League.

If the Tigers successfully clinch promotion to the top flight via the Championship play-offs, they may opt against signing Cleary, thanks to the gulf in class between League One and the top flight.

Meanwhile, speaking to BBC Radio Sheffield, Blades boss Wilder revealed that he is keen to oversee a rebuild this summer: "I’m going to make a lot of changes in the summer, no doubt about it. The owners know it, the chief executive knows it, they know.

"What it has given me is a review, an early review because of the situation we’re in. It’s given me an early review of what’s needed. I 100% know what’s needed, and if I have to make more changes, I will do it. I’ve got the balls to do that, you know, regardless if you’ve been here for 10 years, or you’ve been here for ten minutes."

With that in mind, Cleary's signature could be a part of Sheffield United's changes, and moving to one of Barnsley's South Yorkshire neighbours would be a more convenient transfer for the winger to make than joining Hull, Preston, or Swansea.