Carlton Palmer warns Middlesbrough, Stoke and Swansea about January Barnsley swoop | OneFootball

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Pundit Carlton Palmer isn't convinced that Devante Cole would be able to cut it in the Championship.

The striker got a brief taste of the second division with Wigan Athletic and then a more sustained period with his current employers Barnsley as well.

16 of his 24 league appearances in the 2021/22 campaign with the Tykes came from the bench so he wasn’t a regular but he still only managed just one goal and one assist in nearly 900 minutes.

Cole’s form for Motherwell in the SPFL and now for Barnsley in League One has painted a very different picture, which supports what Palmer has to say.

What did Carlton Palmer say about Devante Cole?

Palmer told FLW: “Barnsley striker Devante Cole, son of the great Andy Cole, started the season in fine form.

“Eight goals in eight games so far this season and he’s attracting attention from a host of clubs, the likes of Middlesbrough, Stoke, Swansea, Bristol City to name a few.

“Devante’s contract is up at the end of the season and I think it is unlikely that he will sign a new deal given the Championship clubs that are interested in him.

“Barnsley will have to sell him to avoid losing him on a free. Devante is 28 and it is very difficult to put a figure on his head because he’s not really scored goals at Championship level.

“I think League One is his level in my opinion although he is a handful. His biggest tally of goals was 15 last season in League One, I think maybe £1 million or a deal going up to that amount would be the right price.”

Devante Cole at Barnsley

Cole certainly hit the ground running this season, scoring a hat-trick on the opening day as Barnsley put seven unanswered goals past Port Vale and wiped the floor with them.

This was following on from a crucial year for him as he made all the difference under Michael Duff.

The 28-year-old appeared in all but one of the 49 games that Barnsley played in the league as they got to the playoff final at Wembley but came up short against Sheffield Wednesday.

In his 3,519 minutes on the field, Cole contributed 15 goals and three assists making him Barnsley’s top scorer and he is currently leading the way this term with eight- next up is Barry Cotter on just two.

Many expected the Tykes to bounce back from the misfortune of last year and go one step further only for a few key individuals to move on to pastures new.

Manager Duff is now at the helm of Swansea City in the Championship whilst defensive duo Mads Andersen and Liam Kitching joined Luton Town and Coventry City respectively. Their sales may have earned the club £7 million but a major hole was left at the heart of defence.

Barnsley have made a solid start to this season but these losses may suggest a potential lack of ambition and they could be setting of alarm bells in Cole’s head. Signing for a Championship team may well be the best way for him to return to the second tier as opposed to staying put at Oakwell and helping Barnsley make the step up.