Sheffield Wednesday, QPR and Middlesbrough men among frontrunners to join Barnsley in summer window

While others have flown out of the traps in the window, it has not been particularly busy early on at Oakwell. Work is ongoing behind closed doors but Conor Hourihane remains the only new addition ahead of the 2024/25 season.

Fans will understandably be keen to see new faces arrive, especially considering there has been a spate of exits since the club’s last play-off heartbreak.

Here are the players Sportscasting believe are most likely to join Barnsley this summer.

George Byers - 7/2

There is arguably not a single League One outfit Byers would not improve. The midfielder is available as a free agent, having been released by Sheffield Wednesday, and would be a shrewd addition for the Reds.

He ended last term on loan at Blackpool and the Tangerines have held talks with the 28-year-old.

Charlie Kelman - 5/1

Queens Park Rangers have already loaned the forward out on a number of occasions and may do so again if a first-team breakthrough is not deemed likely. The 22-year-old ended last season in League One with Wigan Athletic.

Sign up to our new Sports Editor’s TeamTalk newsletter available this week

Sam Clucas - 5/1

The versatile midfielder boasts a wealth of EFL experience and has also played in the Premier League. He was released by Rotherham United at the end of last season, following the club’s relegation to League One.

Marc Roberts - 6/1

Roberts is a familiar face at Oakwell, having represented the Reds for two years before moving to Birmingham City. He has left the Blues after seven years and is available to pick up on a free transfer.

Paddy McNair - 7/1

Arguably one of the most appealing free agents on the market, many would argue McNair is a Championship player. A product of Manchester United’s academy, the defender left Middlesbrough at the end of the 2023/24 season.

Cafu - 15/2

Rotherham United confirmed the departure of the veteran midfielder at the end of the season, following their relegation from the Championship. At 31, he could have a lot more to give in the EFL.

Greg Cunningham - 10/1

The defender ticks a lot of boxes, boasting a wealth of experience at club level and on in the international stage. A left-back by trade, Cunningham left Preston North End following the end of last season.

Tom Bradshaw - 12/1

Bradshaw left Barnsley in 2019 and has been a fairly reliable source of goals for Millwall ever since. It is not difficult to imagine the 31-year-old being a threat to defenders in League One.