Barnsley exceeded expectations last season as they sealed a comfortable mid-table finish following promotion from League One, and they will be hoping for much of the same and improvement next season if possible. 

Manager Paul Heckingbottom is one of the brightest young management talents around, and he will be hoping to build on what has been nothing but success for him at the Oakwell club over the coming years.

Next season though he will know the club needs to strengthen to continue to compete with the best in the second tier, and one place they could with adding players to, is up front.

With the loss of Adam Armstrong following his loan spell and Sam Winnall joining rivals Sheffield Wednesday in January, we here at FLW think that one player who could step up and replace them is current Bury forward James Vaughan.

The former Everton youngster was exceptional for the Shakers last season despite the club struggling in general, and he banged in in excess of 20 goals in what was an impressive individual campaign.

Barnsley would represent a step up in class for the striker, but one he should relish, and the chance to try and prove himself in the Championship is one he might well fancy before he winds his career up in later years.

Vaughan could definitely add some pace and excellent finishing ability up top for the Reds, and he would not cost the world either, something which would appeal to the powers that be at Oakwell.