Derby County and Bristol City 'join chase' for Sheffield United and Hull City-linked Barnsley star Reyes Cleary
A fresh report of transfer interest in Barnsley winger Reyes Cleary
Derby County and Bristol City are the latest clubs to have been linked with Barnsley winger Reyes Cleary.
The 22-year-old arrived at Oakwell last summer, ending his lengthy association with West Bromwich Albion for a fresh start in South Yorkshire.
A former England youth international, Cleary enjoyed a strong maiden campaign in Barnsley colours. He ended the season with a tally of seven goals and 16 assists after 50 appearances in all competitions.
Cleary has been reported as a potential target for a raft of clubs, including Barnsley’s Yorkshire counterparts Sheffield United and Hull City.
Derby County and Bristol City ‘join chase’ for Reyes Cleary
According to Football League World, Derby and Bristol City have joined the race to secure his signature ahead of the summer transfer window.
Both would be able to offer Championship football, something that could prove tempting considering Barnsley fell way short of challenging for promotion from League One.
However, it would be a bitter blow for newly-appointed Reds head coach Daniel Stendel to lose a player of such high calibre.
Reyes Cleary’s Barnsley development
Reflecting on Cleary’s development prior to his exit, Stendel’s predecessor Conor Hourihane said: "I think Reyes' biggest learning in my opinion - and I've spoken to him about this - is when you have a really strong two or three months, it’s ‘how can I keep that going and make it four, five, six, seven months?’
"It's not from the want of trying, but he needs to understand that he’s had a little bit of a dip and needs to ask himself why has that dip been there.
"Whether it's speculation or a few niggles here and there and he needs to look after his body that little bit more. It's all a learning phase for him now, but he's a really good guy who really wants to improve.
"His biggest learning curve now is reflection and going: ‘right, what did I do well over the course of three or four months when I was flying?’ And ‘what have I maybe not done so well over these last couple of months to have that little bit of a dip, whether it's mentality or preparation’.
"I've not seen anything like that in him, by the way, let me make that clear. But why has that dip been there and how can he make this three-four month period into six to seven months where there's no dip.”
Cleary is under contract at Oakwell until 2028 and the club hold the option of extending his stay by an additional 12 months.