Marley Watkins began his career at Swansea City – but should they welcome him back amid after he handed in a transfer request at Barnsley?
You’ve got to feel for Barnsley. The impressive progress made under highly-rated manager Paul Heckingbottom this season means The Tykes’ squad is likely to be ravaged once again this summer, just a few months after top scorer Sam Winnall, captain Conor Hourihane and young starlet James Bree were poached in January.
And energetic wideman Marley Watkins looks likely to be the next to depart Oakwell for supposedly bigger and better things. The 26-year-old handed in a transfer request in January, as reported by Sky Sports, and although Barnsley refused to consider letting him go it appears that they face a challenge hanging onto him in the summer.
The Sunday Mirror claimed that Championship rivals Ipswich Town and Cardiff City were keen although perhaps he could afford to aim a little higher and earn return to the club where he started his career.
Watkins grew up in South Wales and played in Swansea City’s academy before being released and joining Cheltenham Town in 2008. However, with Paul Clement’s side in danger of dropping out of the Premier League after a run of six games without a win which leaves them two points from safety, Watkins could be an ideal signing if they drop into the Championship.
After all, the Barnsley winger has proven himself this season to be one of the second tier’s most dangerous attackers on his day. Watkins has nine goals and seven assists in 2016/17 and could add extra thrust to an attack which may be robbed of Jefferson Montero, Fernando Llorente and Borja Baston in the summer.
The question, however, is whether Watkins would consider returning the side that released him at the start of his career.
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