New Barnsley, Reyes Cleary transfer price emerges - Blackburn Rovers & Sheffield United have been left stunned | OneFootball

Barnsley are having a difficult season in League One, but this doesn't mean that they are going to give up their most-prized assets on the cheap.

Barnsley may be having a difficult season in League One, but this doesn't mean that they're going to give up on their most-prized players without a fight.

The Tykes currently sit in 15th position in the third tier table and 12 points short of a play-off place, it already seems as though their hopes of getting back to the Championship this season are most likely to come to nothing.

But this doesn't mean that there has to be a fire sale of their best players at the end of the January transfer window.

Barnsley have one of the most sought-after players in League One among their ranks, and there's been considerable interest in him from the Championship, and the South Yorkshire outfit have now reportedly put a price-tag on his head which may make clubs from higher divisions think twice about making a move for him.

Barnsley put a price tag on Reyes Cleary which is already deterring Championship interest

Reyes Cleary has been a real hit at Oakwell since his summer move from West Brom, and his showing against Liverpool in the FA Cup in January only attracted more attention.

Posting on Sunday via Patreon, journalist Alan Nixon claims that Barnsley have now put an £8 million price tag on Cleary's head, which is made up of a £5 million fee and a further £3 million in extras - that's an increase on the £5 million price that was previously reported.

Unsurprisingly, several interested parties are now set to back away from the chase for the left-winger's services. Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield United were both interested, but for the new £8 million valuation, they will not be entertaining it.

Cleary has impressed throughout the season for Barnsley, having scored five goals and contributed eight assists in 21 appearances for them this season, of which 16 have been starts.

Barnsley are under no obligation to sell Reyes Cleary - their transfer stance shows that

The 2025-26 season has been a tough one for Barnsley under manager Conor Hourihane, but the form of Reyes Cleary has been one of its high-points for the club.

Cleary arrived at Oakwell last summer for an undisclosed fee from West Bromwich Albion, and has been one of their most impressive players in League One, despite Barnsley's otherwise indifferent form.

His goals have dried up a little, of late. He hasn't scored in the League since netting in their 2-3 defeat at home to Mansfield on Boxing Day. But he has contributed two assists since then, including one in their 3-1 home win against Stevenage on the 31st January.

But with the player having only arrived last summer on a contract which lasts until at least 2028, Barnsley are under no obligation to sell, and it's clear that they value this player very highly indeed. Championship clubs looking to seal a deal for this exciting young forward will find that they have to either meet their valuation for the player or look elsewhere.