Barnsley have tabled a bid in the region of £1million to sign on-loan Everton midfielder Joe Williams, according to the Liverpool Echo.
The newspaper claims that Barnsley have acted fast to try and secure the midfielder on a permanent transfer after he has impressed in the 28 appearances he has made this season while on loan at the Championship club.
The Liverpool Echo report that the north-based second tier outfit are aiming to test Everton’s resolve over the midfielder with their bid.
Williams’ Everton contract still has a significant amount of time to go, with it expiring in 2020.
However, Barnsley were recently taken over by a consortium that features a Chinese billionaire and the baseball figure who inspired the move Moneyball, which has left them with transfer funds available.
Good move for Everton?
Williams has impressed for Barnsley during his loan spell, and the Toffees shouldn’t be so fast to let the midfielder go.
With the midfielder being only 21-years-old, he is still a promising prospect that could break into Everton’s first-team in the future.
However, if Barnsley were to up their offer significantly it would help raises funds for January, as Sam Allardyce wants to make his mark in the transfer window.
This Is Futbol rating 5/10
Likely to happen?
Barnsley are definitely keen to get a deal done judging by the speed in which they have acted. However, £1million sounds like a low offer unless there are several clauses attached, given the player’s age and how much time he has left to go on his contract.
It’s hard to know whether Everton would be keen to let him go, as he could develop into a Premier League player.
This Is Futbol rating 5/10