A report indicates that Barnsley manager Conor Hourihane has confirmed that Nigerian midfielder Kelechi Nwakali is no longer included in his plans for the upcoming season, with the club preparing to transfer him before the transfer window closes.
Nwakali, who signed with the Reds in August 2024 on a three-year contract, has been excluded from Hourihane’s squad throughout the summer and has not participated in any of the club’s pre-season or early competitive matches.
His absence, initially explained by a delayed return due to a family issue in Nigeria, has now resulted in a definitive decision from the manager.
During his pre-match press conference before Tuesday’s match against Peterborough United, Hourihane was directly questioned about Nwakali’s status and responded, “Yeah, that’ll be the plan. We are looking to move him on.”
His concise yet significant reply leaves little ambiguity regarding the 26-year-old’s future at Oakwell.
When asked if winning the first two league matches of the season altered Barnsley’s strategy regarding the players they intend to offload, Hourihane told reporters, “No.”
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“It’s still the same scenario and thought process. We’re still identifying areas that require improvement.
“Hopefully, if we can accomplish that between now and the end of the window, we’ll be in a good position.”
Nwakali made 26 appearances for Barnsley last season but gradually fell out of favor as the campaign progressed.
“Time will tell. There was a situation that occurred from my perspective. He hasn’t been part of the squad throughout pre-season,” Hourihane remarked in a Barnsley Chronicle article last month, which had already suggested his uncertain status.
