Sell-on clauses could add to Tykes’ Holgate profit

The 18-year-old yesterday signed a five-year contract at Goodison Park and follows in the footsteps of another Oakwell academy youngster in John Stones.

Initial media reports had suggested a £500,000 fee for Holgate , who rejected a new Tykes deal last month.

But yesterday’s announcement said the transfer involved “an undisclosed fee”, with reports it includes an initial £1m payment, plus a lucrative sell-on clause.

“The fee has been announced as undisclosed, but the club can confirm that it exceeds the figure routinely reported in the press,” said a Barnsley statement.

“The club has also negotiated to retain a significant on-going financial interest in Mason’s career moving forward.

“The club wishes Mason every success in his future career.”

The progress of Stones at Goodison Park means Barnsley are wise to include a sell-on clause.

The England centre-back, who moved west for £3m in January 2013, has been the subject of two failed bids from Chelsea, the latest for £26m.

The Toffees have insisted Holgate has not been signed as a potential replacement for Stones, who will not be sold to Chelsea, according to manager Roberto Martinez.

But Jose Mourinho’s pursuit of Stones shows no signs of easing up while Manchester United and Manchester City have also been linked with the 21-year-old.

Since Holgate made his League One debut last December, comparisons have been made with the England international.

But Holgate has made only 22 first-team appearances for Barnsley and Martinez is keen to play those down.

“Mason, at 18, has already played 20 games in League One and that shows the potential he has,” Martinez added.

“He will be a phenomenal young prospect coming into that golden generation we feel we have at the club and he will be a good one for the future.

“Mason is a completely different type of player to John, but in terms of personality and character they are very similar.”

Holgate had been linked with a move to Manchester United after spending time on trial with the club earlier in the summer, but an expected bid never materialised, while Bournemouth and Newcastle had also been interested.

It all leaves Reds’ head coach Lee Johnson with a fortnight to look at strengthening his side.

He hinted yesterday new faces could arrive before the transfer window closes.

“We’ve certainly got plans but it’s difficult to say we have moves ready to go because the majority of time they are other people’s players and a lot has got to go on,” Johnson said.

“Naturally you do set wheels in motion for different scenarios or even two or three to happen.

“There’s good players everywhere and players we’re interested in because they are good players.”

Barnsley host Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s Burton Albion tomorrow in their first league match at Oakwell this season.

The former Leeds United striker is building an impressive reputation in the dugout, and Johnson expects a testing game.

“I think it is going to be a very tough game for us,” Johnson said.

“They have momentum, they’re a team that have been together a long time and haven’t added too many signings.

“It will be a difficult game for us. It isn’t going to be one we can turn up and win; we have to be at our absolute best to stand a chance of winning.

“Whenever you come up against a team that has been promoted that has confidence in themselves and in each other, it’s an important chemistry to the side.

“But we’re a good side and have a lot of talent. We’ll give the players the rest that they need until Saturday and make sure they come out firing on all cylinders.

“They’re probably quite assured of themselves because they’re used to winning. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has only lost three games since he’s been there so it can take you a long way.”

Johnson will check on the fitness of striker Sam Winnall tomorrow after he suffered with blisters in the opening defeat to Chesterfield.

“It was one of the nastiest blisters I’ve ever seen on the sole of his foot from the Chesterfield game so he was quite brave just to get out there,” he said.

“At Chesterfield the pitch was hard but I asked him whether he was wearing new boots and he said no. Whether or not he was lying, I don’t know. But when I saw it, it did make me wince.

“Ryan Williams will train with us (yesterday) and I’m going to push him.

“He did an individual session with me and Dan Crowley against Scunthorpe and he came through that so I’m going to push him again and put more demand on him load wise with the ball.”