Barnsley FC: 2023 action should earn Tykes seven figures when the time comes | OneFootball

Barnsley midfielder Luca Connell was tied down to a long contract in 2023, which looks like a masterstroke considering his strong start to the season

After signing for Barnsley in the summer of 2022, it is safe to say midfielder Luca Connell has nailed down his position as one of the Tykes' main stars

The 23-year-old has excelled for the South Yorkshire outfit since his arrival from Celtic, and the fresh contract to which he agreed in July 2023 now seems a very shrewd piece of business for the Tykes.

After a single season with the club, Barnsley's hierarchy felt it appropriate to offer ex-Bolton man Connell a new contract, which would tie him down at the club until the end of the 2026/27 season.

One of the first names on the team-sheet, and with an option of a one-year extension added onto his deal, Barnsley should be able to fetch a seven-figure fee for his services when they feel as though the time is right due to the fact they took a chance on Connell's contract.

Luca Connell was somewhat of a gamble for Barnsley when he signed in 2022

In the summer of 2022, then-21-year-old Connell joined Barnsley on a free transfer from Celtic.

A graduate of the Bolton Wanderers academy, Connell had little experience of English football other than 12 appearances for the Trotters, in which he was highly-rated for, yet his career somewhat stalled when making the move north of the border.

However, Connell hit the ground running at Oakwell, making 48 appearances across all competitions in 2022-23, in a season that saw Barnsley finish fourth in League One.

They unfortunately lost the play-off final to Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 that season, but Connell had certainly made a name for himself with home supporters and neutrals alike..

Eight assists from a deep-lying playmaker role was a great return for Connell, and he proved to possess an excellent passing range, as well as the ability to read the game well with successful tackling.

Off the back of such an impressive campaign in which he was awarded the club's Young Player of the Season accolade, the midfielder was offered a new contract, which tied him to Barnsley until the end of the 2026/27 season.

The following two seasons have been no different for Connell.

He started around 50% of Barnsley's games last term after suffering from a long-term illness, but was rewarded with the role of captain come the end of the season. Barnsley had again finished in the play-offs, but experienced the bitter taste of defeat once more, as they were defeated 5-4 on aggregate by Ian Evatt's Bolton Wanderers.

Now in his third year with Barnsley, Connell has bagged twice and made four assists in League One already this season, with his fine form contributing to Darrell Clarke's side moving up to fifth in the table.

Luca Connell should fetch a hefty fee for Barnsley when they want to cash in

The good form that the Irishman has recently enjoyed is epitomised by his ability to dominate games with his range of passing, controlling the tempo for Darrell Clarke's men.

The young midfielder dictates play from deep, creating chances with incisive passes, while also chipping in with shots from distance himself.

With the silky midfielder now contracted to the club for another two and a half years at the very least it is to be expected that any interest in his services would be met with a hefty price tag.

As club captain and an Oakwell stalwart now, Darrell Clarke will have no interest in selling his main man, but the club's hierarchy - and Clarke himself - do have to be realistic at the climate that the Tykes find themselves in nowadays.

Most League One club will be sellers nowadays to keep profits up, and that's just the way that football is nowadays in the lower leagues, and sooner rather than later, Connell himself will probably have an idea of when he wants to play Championship football or higher.

If an offer were to come in, there is potential that Barnsley could demand seven figures for Connell, owing to the strength of his contract, quality and role at the club, but they will still not want to cash in if they can help it.

Regardless of any curiosity in January, it goes without saying that a Connell exit would be far from the minds of supporters and club hierarchy alike.