The Sheffield Star understands that Sky Bet Championship side Barnsley are set to complete the signing of midfielder Stevie Mallan this week. A £300,000 fee has already been agreed with Scottish Championship side St Mirren, and formalities should be concluded in a few more days.
21-year-old Mallan was given permission to travel to Barnsley to discuss the transfer earlier this week. On Monday he also underwent his medical and was shown around Oakwell and the training ground as well.
Paul Heckingbottom lost two key players at the end of the season after midfielder Josh Scowen and forward Marley Watkins both decided to seek pastures new. Conor Hourihane, James Bree, John Stones, Sam Winnall and Mason Holgate are other promising players to have left the club in recent seasons. Hearing that a talented individual such as Mallan is heading to Yorkshire shall certainly please their supporters. St Mirren are believed to have included a sizeable sell-on percentage on the deal, with them clearly believing he is destined for big things.
Last season, he netted eleven goals in all competitions, with a particularly strong run towards the end of the season to successfully guide the Buddies to safety from relegation. It looks as though Mallan’s last goal in a St Mirror shirt came in late April as they defeated Raith Rovers 5-0 at home. Highlights of that game can be seen below, and it is Mallan who netted a brace in that contest. Barnsley will be hoping he can replicate more strikes like this in a red jersey in the coming months.