"No way" - Exclusive: Sky Sports pundit reacts as Wrexham and QPR eye Barnsley star | OneFootball

The Tykes' forward is in high demand from second-tier clubs

Despite Barnsley recording their worst league finish in 20 years this past season, Davis Keillor-Dunn's efforts still earned him a place in the League One Team of the Season.

The Tykes finished 12th in the third tier, but Keillor-Dunn's 18 goals saw him finish in the top three of the scoring charts, continuing his fine form from the previous season as he helped Mansfield Town secure promotion from League Two.

It is evident that there will be a plethora of personnel changes at Oakwell this coming summer. With Conor Hourihane taking full charge of a club for the first time since his 2024 retirement, it feels like a new era is on the horizon for Barnsley.

After showing he is among the top attackers in the third tier this season, Championship clubs are looking to bring him in this summer, with sources exclusively telling Football League World that Wrexham, QPR and Oxford United are interested in securing the 27-year-old's services.

However, former West Brom and Wolves forward and current Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman feels that, of all the players to leave Barnsley this summer, Davis Keillor-Dunn shouldn't be one of them, and that Conor Hourihane needs to build his team around him for the upcoming season.

Don Goodman on "impressive" Davis Keillor-Dunn

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Don Goodman feels that it is key for Barnsley to keep Davis Keillor-Dunn next season if they are to embark on a promotion push.

He believes that the interest from the second tier is justified, saying: "I can completely understand why several Championship clubs want Davis Keillor-Dunn. He's had a great few seasons, and this past season he's had with Barnsley, whilst they've been struggling, makes it even more impressive in reality.

"But if you're Barnsley, if you're ambitious, then there's no way you let him go.

"They've only just brought him in, and in a season he's shown what an attribute he could be, so unless they get an offer that they simply cannot refuse, I would be building the team around him if I were Barnsley."

Barnsley's rebuild needs to be in defence, rather than up top

If there is to be a squad overhaul at Oakwell this coming summer, it likely shouldn't involve the frontline too much.

Barnsley netted 69 times last season, the sixth most in the league. Alongside Keillor-Dunn, goals came from the likes of Jon Russell, who is contracted for another season, and Stephen Humphrys, who has been offered a new deal ahead of 2025/26.

The retention of that trio, alongside exciting winger Fabio Jalo, forms a front line which will give Barnsley fans confidence ahead of a season where improvement is necessary. The current backline, however, doesn't offer as much confidence.

The Tykes kept just six clean sheets this season, tied for second lowest in the league, and kept none in their final 14 games. Their 73 goals conceded was the fifth highest in the division too.

Clearly, if Barnsley are looking for replacements, their defence needs to be addressed first. But they need to make sure to do that whilst also ensuring that key players at the top end aren't poached by sides in the division above.