Barnsley will reinvest the transfer fee received for defender Liam Lindsay following his move to Stoke City, the club's co-chairman Paul Conway has claimed.

Lindsay and his Barnsley teammate Adam Davies were among five players confirmed by Stoke to be joining the Potters in the summer transfer window on Tuesday, with Wigan's Nick Powell, QPR's Jordan Cousins and Millwall striker Lee Gregory all also moving to the Bet365 Stadium.

With his contract at Barnsley expiring this season, goalkeeper Davies has joined Stoke on a free transfer, while Linsday was sold for a fee of £2million, rising to £2.5million with addons.

The defender had just one year remaining on his contract at Oakwell, and explaining the club's decision to sell Lindsay, Conway told the Yorkshire Evening Post: "Liam was one of the players we have offered a new contract to.

"After a hard fought battle we have reluctantly agreed to allow a transfer.

"When a player has 12 months remaining on their contract and does not want to sign a new one, we have to make a difficult decision."

Having signed Lindsay from Partick Thistle for £350,000 two years ago, the club have received and a significant return on their investment, and discussing the financial side of the deal, Conway added: “We have made a significant profit on Liam and all of that profit will be reinvested in Barnsley Football Club. We will also retain a significant interest in the future of the player.”

In total, Lindsay made 90 appearances in all competitions for Barnsley, helping them make an immediate return to the Championship from League One last season after finishing in the second automatic promotion spot in the third tier.

The verdict

This should be some consolation for Barnsley fans.

Given Lindsay's apparent reluctance to sign a new contract at Oakwell, it made sense to sell him now rather than leave for nothing this time next year.

This way Barnsley do at least have additional funds available to invest in finding a replacement for the centre back.

Considering how important he was to the Tykes back line during his time with the club, and the pressure they will be under on their return to the Championship next season, you feel it is important they make the right selection when finding a new centre back in place of the Welshman.