It won’t be a major surprise to many people that saw Jason Shackell play in the Barnsley defence this season that he has become a summer transfer target for several of the Reds Championship rivals.

Shackell arrived from Wolves in May 2010 after impressing whilst on loan at Doncaster Rovers – who also wanted to sign him permanently.  The central defensive position at Barnsley has been a tough one to get right for a long while with many partnerships over the last few years barely lasting season so it would be disappointing to lose Shackell, who is also captain, rather than bring in a player of similar quality to play alongside him.

Barnsley have traditionally been reluctant to reveal the financial details of player transfers, however estimates put his transfer from Wolves in the region of £400,000 to £700,000 – he still has two years left on his contract at Oakwell and surely his stock can only have increased having shown that he is a more than capable Championship defender.

While no firm offers have been made, speculation suggests that both Hull City and Derby County and preparing to make an offer.  Looking back at previous transfers for quality Championship defenders, then Shackell’s value must surely warrant a seven-figure sum for the club to even consider allowing him to leave?

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