Barnsley will be preparing for life in League One following confirmation of their relegation last month and with the season now finished, they can start to focus on the 2022/23 campaign.

In fairness to the Tykes, they were already looking at the bigger picture weeks ago with loanees Domingos Quina, Amine Bassi and Claudio Gomes returning to their respective parent clubs early.

They also parted ways with Poya Asbaghi, giving them plenty of time to focus on the managerial recruitment process as they look to have a man in place well before the start of pre-season.

The Iranian's successor will have a big job on their hands if they want to get the South Yorkshire side back to the Championship at the first time of asking, with plenty of departures potentially set to come and with that, they face the prospect of needing to bring in quite a few additions.

With this in mind, we're taking a look at eight free agents or soon-to-be free agents that could potentially settle into Oakwell seamlessly.

 

Considering the Tykes have been a team that underperformed during the 2021/22 campaign, they need players who have performed above expectations to raise standards at Oakwell and this is what Wilson can do.

Performing excellently at wing-back for Forest Green Rovers and playing a big part in their promotion-winning season, he recorded three goals and 14 assists in 45 league appearances, proving to be a formidable force going forward.

This can only help the relegated club in their quest to return to the second tier at the first time of asking - because they were poor going forward for much of the season - both under Markus Schopp and Asbaghi.

As well as this, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Callum Brittain leave during the summer window.

28-year-old Wisdom has failed to find a club this season despite enduring trial periods at Birmingham City and Sheffield United, something that must be disappointing for the ex-Liverpool man.

Although he was a first-teamer at Derby County during the 2020/21 campaign, he wasn't offered a deal with the Rams operating under strict transfer restrictions, but could probably earn a second-tier move if he proves his fitness.

If the Tykes do offer him a contract though, he may decide to sign on the dotted line to provide him with financial security and the fact he was previously training with the Blades shows he is willing to relocate to Yorkshire.

More centre-back options may be needed in the coming months, especially with Michal Helik potentially leaving during the summer period. The defender will be hoping to force his way into Poland's squad for the World Cup later this year and securing a move away may give him the best chance of doing that.

The relegated outfit have an option to purchase Remy Vita on the expiration of his loan spell this summer but it's currently unclear whether they will activate that clause.

Callum Styles, who has been the subject of interest from Celtic, may also be on his way out of Oakwell at some point in the next few months so a left-sided option or two could pay dividends for them in the summer.

Scoring three goals in 27 league appearances for Charlton Athletic this term, Purrington could be the man to come in and fill that void with the 25-year-old yet to sign fresh terms at The Valley.

Having plenty of third-tier experience under his belt, he could be a decent addition in South Yorkshire and at 25, he will only get better so there is a chance they could sell him on for a decent amount of money in the future.

If the Tykes operate with three central players in midfield next season, Huddlestone could be a deep-lying player that can be handy in providing an extra layer of protection in front of the defence, even if he's just a short-term addition.

They were reported to be targeting Jay Fulton during the winter window so this is the type of player they may be looking to recruit, potentially giving the license for other midfielders to advance forward and support an attack that has failed to produce during the 2021/22 campaign.

At the weekend, it was confirmed that the 35-year-old would be leaving current side Hull City on the expiration of his current terms and this news could allow the Tykes to move quickly to recruit him.

His age may mean he's only offered a one-year deal at Oakwell though.

Millwall skipper Pearce will leave The Den on the expiration of his contract this summer, according to a report from News At Den.

Rarely featuring for the Lions this term, he could be a much more regular player in the third tier and as a player with previous promotion-winning experience with Reading, he could be just as useful off the pitch as he is on it.

These type of leaders will be needed in the Tykes' team next season if they are to have any chance of returning to the second tier at the first time of asking - and with Aapo Halme set to leave Oakwell this summer as things stand - the South Yorkshire side may need cover at centre-back.

This will be particularly important if they operate with a back three next season and at 33, Pearce should be able to play at least a semi-regular role in their side. His wage demands shouldn't be too high either.

Robson-Kanu has been a free agent since his departure from West Bromwich Albion last summer - but has been busy running a nutrition business and it's currently unclear whether he will return to professional football or not.

Able to play both as a winger and a forward though, two positions they need to address in the coming months if they are to play with advanced wide players, he could be a useful asset and contributor going forward.

He certainly has the international experience under his belt to thrive and with the Welshman playing plenty of times in the top two tiers of English football during his career, he could tear League One apart.

As mentioned, the forward has been out of the game for some time so he may not get many offers in the summer, enabling the Tykes to swoop in.

It's remarkable that Charlton's Washington hasn't been tied down to fresh terms yet considering how much of a vital asset he is at The Valley, registering 11 goals in 35 league appearances this season.

If he can contribute a similar number of goals to the Tykes' cause next season, that could potentially be useful to their potential promotion push and it would certainly be an improvement on some of their forwards' goal records during 2021/22.

Showing he can perform at this level on a consistent basis, this potential transfer would be a no-brainer for the relegated side and it may be a good move for Washington too as he looks for a return to the second tier at some point.

They may need to move quickly to secure his services though with the Addicks looking to engage in talks with out-of-contract players regarding extensions.

One of the favourites to leave Hull this summer is Eaves - because new owner Acun Ilicali moved to recruit both Marcus Forss and Allahyar Sayyadmanesh during the latter stages of the January window.

Both may not be guaranteed to be at the MKM Stadium again next season - but these moves have signalled that Shota Arveladze wants new forwards at his disposal and Eaves has only played a limited role recently.

The 30-year-old could be useful at Oakwell though because you would imagine the Tykes would be prepared to let Devante Cole, Aaron Leya Iseka, Obbi Oulare and Victor Adeboyejo if they could, with the latter's contract expiring this summer.

Scoring five goals in 31 league appearances this term, that isn't a hugely impressive record but it's a tally he would probably improve in the third tier. And his big presence could make a difference up top.