Barnsley FC must avoid double transfer blow - It would affect Conor Hourihane's promotion plans | OneFootball

The Tykes will have League One promotion on their minds once again this season

Barnsley are in desperate need to bounce back this upcoming season, after recording their lowest league finish since the 2004/05 campaign last term.

The Tykes were play-off sides in both their first two seasons upon their return to League One, but disappointment on the pitch led to Darrell Clarke's sacking and a 12th-placed finish, with only five other clubs conceding more goals throughout the campaign.

Despite this, there were still some shining lights throughout the season, mainly in their attacking play, as Barnsley scored the sixth most in the entire division last term.

As Conor Hourihane ventures into his first full season in management, it's paramount that he keeps that goalscoring class among his group if the Tykes stand a good chance of returning to a play-off-contending League One side in 2025/26.

However, after some impressive seasons, Davis Keillor-Dunn and Jon Russell are the subject of transfer talk, and Hourihane will do well to fend off Championship interest in two of his star players.

Barnsley need to retain 29-goal duo going into next season

Davis Keillor-Dunn was one of three players not playing for a side who finished in the top six to make the League One Team of the Season, after his return to the third tier saw him net 18 and assist a further five.

Due to this, the rumour mill is churning, and both Charlton Athletic and Middlesbrough are believed to be interested in the 27-year-old.

Additionally, Jon Russell blew his best goalscoring return in a season out of the water, as he bagged 11 throughout the campaign.

The former Chelsea academy man is being chased by the Championship quartet of Derby County, Oxford United, Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City, according to an exclusive report by Football League World.

When combining their goalscoring tallies, Keillor-Dunn and Russell netted 42% of Barnsley's League One goals this past season, and losing both this summer would be downright disastrous for Conor Hourihane going into his first full campaign in management.

The duo seemed to be firing on all cylinders towards the end of the season under Hourihane, too, with both scoring three in the four games since the 33-year-old was made permanent manager following a stint as interim.

Conor Hourihane will be hoping that he can keep the pairing onside for next season, with the belief that they can churn out similar results in front of goal throughout his full first term in charge at Oakwell.

Financial fears may lead goalscoring duo to depart Oakwell this summer

Barnsley chairman Neerav Parekh has said that the club may need to "balance the books" with player sales and departures this summer, and if this proves to be the case, then Russell and Keillor-Dunn, the club's arguably two most valuable players, may find themselves sold on to do so.

Barnsley are already looking at a defensive rebuild this summer, with the likes of Conor McCarthy and Donovan Pines already departing during the off-season, but an offensive rejig may prove one step too far for Conor Hourihane in his first full season in management.

Barnsley have already seen Stephen Humphrys depart for Yorkshire rivals Bradford City. The former Wigan Athletic man scored nine in League One last season for the Tykes.

Only Russell and Keillor-Dunn scored more than the 27-year-old, and if they were both to depart, Adam Phillips' six non-penalty goals would represent the most at the club from players still at Oakwell.

Losing Humphrys was a blow, but one that Barnsley could stomach if they kept hold of their other top goalscorers. If they lose them too, the Tykes could be in for a long season ahead.