Barnsley enter race for in-demand League One striker

Barnsley have joined the race to sign 19-year-old striker Kyle Joseph from Wigan Athletic, a report from a print edition of The Sun (24/01, p59) has claimed.

Joseph has scored five goals in 13 League One appearances for Wigan this season, and it now looks as though he is attracting plenty of interest from elsewhere.

It has previously been reported that Premier League duo Tottenham and Sheffield United – both of whom were also apparently interested in the summer – and Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers are all keen on a move for the teenager this month.

However, it now seems as though Barnsley at set to try their own hand when it comes to securing the services of Joseph during the current transfer window.

According to this latest report, the Tykes have made a sizeable offer to Joseph as they look to convince him to make the move to Oakwell this month.

Joseph is out of contract with Wigan at the end of this season, and reports have claimed that the Latics have offered him an extension, while it has also been suggested that the teenager himself is happy at the DW Stadium.

The Verdict

This does look as though it could be a smart move for Barnsley to make.

Joseph is clearly a player with a great deal of potential, who could become an even more useful asset as he improves with experience.

As a result, it could be something of a coup for Barnsley if they were to pull off a deal such as this, particularly with the interest there is in the teenager elsewhere.

Indeed, given he is more likely to have a chance of first-team football at Barnsley than at the likes of Tottenham, Celtic and Rangers, means you wonder if the Tykes may actually have an advantage in this transfer battle.