Derby County and Bristol City are both preparing moves for Barnsley forward Reyes Cleary this summer, as the two Championship clubs look to strengthen their attacking options ahead of the 2026/27 campaign
Derby County and Bristol City Plot Summer Move for Barnsley Star Reyes Cleary
Derby County and Bristol City are both preparing moves for Barnsley forward Reyes Cleary this summer, as the two Championship clubs look to strengthen their attacking options ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
Both sides narrowly missed out on the play-off places last season and are now expected to be active in the transfer market as they attempt to close the gap on the division’s leading promotion contenders.
Football League World understands that Cleary has emerged as a serious target for both clubs following a breakthrough campaign with Barnsley in League One, where the highly-rated attacker enjoyed a standout debut season at Oakwell.
The 22-year-old has attracted growing interest from across the Championship in recent months after impressing with his pace, movement and eye for goal, and fresh admiration is now building ahead of what could become a competitive battle for his signature.
Derby, under John Eustace, exceeded expectations last season after climbing away from relegation danger to mount an unlikely push for the top six. Having stabilised the club during his first full campaign at Pride Park, Eustace is believed to be keen on adding greater attacking depth and youthful energy to his squad.
Cleary is viewed as a player with significant upside, and Derby’s recruitment staff are understood to have monitored his progress closely throughout the second half of the season.
Bristol City are also firmly in the mix as Liam Manning looks to continue reshaping his squad following another frustrating near-miss in the race for the play-offs. The Robins showed flashes of quality across the campaign but struggled for consistency in the final third, leading to an expected focus on attacking reinforcements this summer.
Cleary’s versatility across the frontline is thought to appeal strongly to City’s recruitment team, particularly given his ability to operate both centrally and from wider areas.
Barnsley, however, are unlikely to let one of their key assets leave without a fight. The South Yorkshire side remain eager to build a squad capable of mounting another promotion challenge in League One, and Cleary is considered an important part of their long-term plans after establishing himself as one of the club’s brightest talents.
That said, interest from the Championship could prove difficult to resist if significant offers arrive in the coming weeks.
With Derby County and Bristol City both aiming to take the next step after encouraging but ultimately disappointing campaigns, the race for Reyes Cleary could become one of the more intriguing transfer stories of the summer window.
