Stockport County and Barnsley in transfer race to sign free agent | OneFootball

Ossama Ashley is set to become a free agent when his contract with Salford City expires this month

Stockport County are set for a busy summer following Dave Challinor’s exit as manager.

The League One side lost the play-off final 4-1 to Bolton Wanderers, and will be hoping to go one step further next season in their pursuit of promotion.

But there have been major changes behind the scenes, with the likes of Simon Wilson also departing.

The Hatters have appointed Jimmy McNulty to replace Challinor, and he will be on the case to try and bring the club to the second tier for the first time since 2002.

However, clubs like Barnsley will be looking to close the gap to the top teams after they had a disappointing campaign.

Both teams will be keen to utilise the transfer market in a bid to bolster their first team squads for next season.

Barnsley and Stockport eye Salford deal

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It has been reported by journalist Pete O’Rourke that Stockport are interested in signing Ossama Ashley from Salford City.

It has been claimed that Barnsley are also keen on the midfielder, who contributed one goal from 18 appearances in League Two last season.

It was a disappointing campaign for the 26-year-old, who previously was a key figure for the fourth tier side.

However, Barnsley and Stockport are still keeping tabs on Ashley, and could seek a deal for the player this summer.

He initially joined Salford in 2023 from Colchester United, and has made a total of 59 appearances for the club in the league.

Ashley registered one goal and five assists in 2024/25 as the side finished eighth in the table, narrowly missing out on a play-off place.

Salford reached the play-off final in 2026, but lost out to Notts County, which led to Karl Robinson’s exit as head coach.

Barnsley also replaced their head coach with the end of the campaign, as Conor Hourihane departed via mutual consent.

Daniel Stendel will be hoping to strengthen his side over the summer, with the Tykes aiming to improve on their 15th place finish.

Hourihane led the Yorkshire outfit to 59 points, leaving them 16 adrift of the top six.

Stendel previously managed at Oakwell, and guided them to promotion in 2019, so will be looking to repeat that achievement in the next campaign.

Meanwhile, McNulty previously managed Rochdale from March 2023 until his arrival at Stockport.

The 41-year-old earned a lot of plaudits as he guided the club to promotion to League Two in 2025/26.

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Ossama Ashley signing will need assurances on fitness

Ashley has performed well in the past in League Two, but injuries have really hampered him over the last 12 months, and it ended up not being one of his better years.

While he was impressive as Salford finished eighth in 2025, Stockport and Barnsley will want some assurances he can get back to that level before pursuing a move.

The midfielder would provide some necessary strength in depth in midfield, and could potentially be a rather affordable option in the transfer market.

Ashley’s contract expires later this month and will be available as a free agent, so that certainly makes him an appealing option if he can get back to his best.