Barnsley: Nwakali to Leave Oakwell in 2025

Barnsley boss Conor Hourihane has confirmed that Nigerian midfielder Kelechi Nwakali is no longer part of his plans and will be moved on before the close of the summer transfer window.

The 26-year-old, who joined the Reds in August 2024 on a three-year deal, has been absent from Hourihane’s squad throughout pre-season and the opening games of the new campaign. While his initial absence was attributed to family matters in Nigeria, the manager has now made his stance clear.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of Tuesday’s League One clash with Peterborough United, Hourihane said bluntly:
“Yeah, that’ll be the plan. We are looking to move him on.”

The Irishman’s response leaves little doubt over Nwakali’s future at Oakwell, with the club weighing up whether his departure will be on loan or a permanent exit.

Nwakali made 26 appearances for Barnsley last season but faded from the squad towards the closing weeks of the campaign. Last month, Hourihane had already hinted at a decision, telling the Barnsley Chronicle that the midfielder “hasn’t been involved in the squad over the course of pre-season.”

A product of the Arsenal academy, Nwakali joined the Gunners in 2016 but never made a senior appearance, instead embarking on loan spells at MVV Maastricht, VVV-Venlo, and Porto. He later signed for Spanish club Huesca in 2019 but departed in 2022 under controversial circumstances after claiming the club pressured him not to attend the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria.

Since then, his career has taken him to Ponferradina in Spain’s Segunda División and Portuguese outfit Chaves before his move to Barnsley.

Hourihane stressed that the Reds’ strong start to the season had not altered the club’s transfer stance:
“It’s still the same scenario and thought process. We’re still pinpointing areas we need to improve. Hopefully, if we can get that done between now and the end of the window we’ll be in a decent place.”

Nwakali’s next move is yet to be determined, but with his time at Oakwell drawing to a close, he faces another crossroads in a career marked by frequent transfers and unfulfilled potential.

Source: dailyfocus.ng