Stockport County, Wigan Athletic and Peterborough United in 'race' to land Barnsley FC's Eoghan O'Connell
A trio of League One clubs have been linked with Barnsley defender Eoghan O’Connell
Eoghan O’Connell is reportedly being targeted by a trio of League One clubs as his Barnsley contract nears expiry.
The 30-year-old arrived at Oakwell in January, penning a short-term deal having left Wrexham by mutual consent in September.
He proved to be a shrewd addition to the Reds ranks, impressing over the course of his 26 outings.
When Barnsley published their retained list at the end of the season, they confirmed talks with O’Connell and veteran marksman David McGoldrick were ongoing.
McGoldrick has already left for Mansfield Town and it appears O’Connell could follow him out of the door.
Interest in Barnsley’s Eoghan O’Connell
According to Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, the centre-back is being pursued by Stockport County, Wigan Athletic and Peterborough.
Stockport, last season’s League One play-off final runners-up, are said to be at the front of the queue to sign the forme Rochdale and Charlton Athletic man.
Posting on X, O’Rourke said: “Stockport are leading the race ahead of Wigan and Peterborough are to sign Barnsley defender Eoghan O’Connell on a free transfer.”
Barnsley’s thinning squad
O’Connell is not the only Barnsley player to have been linked with a summer move away from Oakwell. There have been doubts over the future of captain Luca Connell, who has again been reported as a potential target for Luton Town.
Barnsley’s squad is already looking thin following the release of senior figures such as Marc Roberts and Tennai Watson.
If O’Connell becomes the latest to seek pastures new, it will only reinforce the widely-held belief that Barnsley desperately need new blood.
The Reds have been linked with Australian winger Clayton Taylor, who has impressed across the last two seasons at Newcastle Jets. He is reportedly set to put pen to paper on a three-year contract in South Yorkshire.