The Tykes competed against their rivals from South Yorkshire in an effort to achieve an instant return to the Championship for this season, but they were unsuccessful, which led certain players, including Michael Duff, to transfer to the second division with Swansea City.
Other major players including Mads Andersen and Liam Kitching have also moved up divisions, while Neill Collins has replaced Duff as manager.
While Barnsley has been fortunate to hold onto a few crucial players this summer, the majority of their first-team roster will likely change next summer as no less than 14 players have contracts that expire at the end of the current campaign.
Out of contract Barnsley players
Barnsley reduced their roster this summer, releasing players like Clarke Odour and Will Lancaster, maybe in part as a result of their failure to win promotion.
Here, after the summer transfer market has closed, we look at players who Barnsley might seek to extend their contracts with through 2024.
Devante Cole
Devante Cole, the son of Andy Cole and leading goal scorer for Barnsley this season with six goals, has a contract that expires at the end of current campaign.
The 28-year-old’s greatest total for the Tykes before this season was 16, but he is now on track to surpass that with the striker averaging one goal per game so far. He is undoubtedly a player with whom Barnsley will be eager to reach new terms.
Ben Killip
Killip joined Barnsley this summer after spending the previous four years playing for Hartlepool, where he played in well over 100 games.
The 27-year-old agreed to a one-year deal at first, with the possibility of an extension held by the club. He has so far participated in one cup.
Nicky Cadden
The flying left wing-back or left winger joined the team in 2022 from Forest Green Rovers, and he is currently in his second season.
He initially agreed to a two-year contract, and this summer, he is free to depart. In his first six games with the Tykes, Cadden has contributed four assists in addition to one goal.
Herbie Kane
The recent graduate of the Liverpool school is one of Barnsley’s top players in terms of technical ability and was a mainstay last season, appearing in 48 games across all competitions.
Despite a rocky start to his career in South Yorkshire, the 24-year-old joined Barnsley from Liverpool in 2020 and has one more year left on his contract at Oakwell.
Jordan Williams
Williams and Callum Styles have both played for the team the longest. In 2018, he transferred from Huddersfield Town to the team.
A crucial player who has made 155 appearances for the team, the 23-year-old defender is likely to leave in June.
Robbie Cundy
Another player whose contract is about to expire is Cundy. He came from Bristol Rovers and joined in 2022.
The 26-year-old has previously made 31 appearances for Barnsley and scored twice while playing for a variety of teams.
Matty Wolfe
The Barnsley academy produced the 23-year-old midfielder, who has played 33 games for the team since making his debut.
The majority of his time with the Tykes has been spent in the reserves or on loan with teams like Notts County, but as of next summer, his future may rest elsewhere.
The youngsters
Two youth players with some first-team experience, Fabio Malo and Aiden Marsh, have contracts that expire in 2024.
The loanees
All of the loanees who joined the team this summer—Liam Roberts, Jamie McCart, John McAtee, and Owen Dodgson—will leave the team at the end of the season unless Barnsley decides to loan them again or perhaps sign them on a permanent basis for 2024–2025.