Barnsley FC CEO Jon Flatman's player admission as driven Daniel Stendel embarks on new challenge

Barnsley chose to cash in on Davis Keillor-Dunn - who turns 29 in November, with the club in a decent position regarding his contract - in the 2025/26 winter window.

In contrast, they elected to retain Reyes Cleary after rejecting considerable offers.

Last season represented a breakthrough one for a winger who signed a three-year deal just 12 months ago. Having only turned 22 in April, time is on Cleary's side - but also Barnsley's.

Ditto Patrick Kelly. The star of the young midfielder, 21, is on the rise and events in Lille earlier this month in the colours of Northern Ireland reinforced that to a wide audience.

Kelly, like Cleary, has two years left on his contract with the club holding an additional option year.

It means Barnsley should be in a strong bargaining position regarding any bids for either in this summer's window, which officially opens for business today.

For two other influential players in captain Luca Connell - who continues to be linked with Luton Town - and goalscoring midfielder Adam Phillips, the clock is ticking rather more.

Connell has a year left on his deal, with a further 12 months in the club's favour.

Phillips is out of contract in June 2027 as are Jack Shepherd and Mael de Gevigney. Barnsley activated 12-month options on all three at the end of the 2025-26 season.

In terms of other established senior players, Corey O'Keeffe's deal expires next summer as does that of Josh Earl, although Barnsley have an option in their favour with him.

While the importance of contractual situations is of primary importance when clubs elect to keep or sell, another facet can also come into play.

Sometimes, players - whether they have a decent length of time left on their contracts or otherwise - just need a new challenge, quite simply.

Reds chief executive officer Jon Flatman acknowledged: "I think there's always that, isn't there.

"You're looking not only at their transfer value, which you can put back in, but also at their career as well.

"You want players who want to play for you, but on the other hand you're not going to give them away purely because someone else has waved a cheque at them.

"You've got to make sure it's in the club's interest regarding every pro and con.

"And you'll get some right and you'll get some wrong, let's be realistic."

Daniel Stendel is back in the building on a full-time basis this week - as preparations began in earnest for the start of pre-season with Reds players to return on June 24.

Flatman has made no bones about the fact that the theme of recruitment will be on bringing in young and hungry players capable of fitting in with Stendel's intense, gegenpressing style of play, which was very successful in his previous season at this level in 2018-19.

That squad he inherited was a group of players who may have been fresh from relegation at the end of 2017-18, but one which had plenty to offer at third-tier level.

That was showcased in an excellent campaign when Barnsley returned to the Championship at the first time of asking with the likes of Alex Mowatt, Kieffer Moore, Ethan Pinnock and Liam Lindsay all excelling.

This time around, Stendel arrives at a club whose players have finished around mid-table in the past two seasons in League One.

It will certainly be more of a challenge, but the German has entered with his eyes wide open according to Flatman, as he strives to build a side in his own image.

Flatman continued: "I think when Daniel comes and he lands in front of the players, they're going to feel some energy. They're going to feel a real drive.

"There were players in that (2018-19) squad that are now well-known that weren't so much at the time. And maybe we've got a few of those of our own.

"That Championship squad that came down was obviously a quality one. But let's see what we can do. We've seen what underdog teams have done this year in League One and they've done it like with a clear structure and with belief. Why can't we do that?

"I think there's a real pride in Daniel's last time here. There's a pride from Daniel. I think the fanbase takes pride in that era.

"And you see the videos knocking around on social media and the kind of Stendel stories. I think it's reinvigorated that.

"We make no apology for wanting more season-ticket holders. But we realise that we need to drive that, right? We're the people who exhibit that and who can offer that hope for the future.

"I hope Daniel is a step forward in that. And I hope the recruitment in the summer is a step forward in that."