Barnsley head coach Daniel Stendel has moved to address the mounting speculation surrounding striker Reyes Cleary, telling BBC Radio Sheffield that the forward remains at the club for now, despite reported interest from elsewhere.

Stendel holds firm on Cleary

"At the moment he is here," Stendel said in the interview, broadcast on 13 August. The remark is being read by many supporters as a carefully worded acknowledgement that bids have been received, while stopping short of ruling out a departure before the transfer window closes. It aligns with what has been understood for some weeks: that Barnsley have twice rejected approaches for the young forward, choosing not to sell at the figures offered.

Cleary, still only in his early twenties, has attracted attention from clubs operating above League One, and the situation is understood to remain live. Stendel's comments suggest the Barnsley management retains control of the situation for now, but the language, "at the moment", leaves the door pointedly ajar should an acceptable offer materialise.

Injury concerns in the squad

Beyond the Cleary question, Stendel used the Radio Sheffield appearance to give a broader update on the fitness of his squad. He confirmed there are injury concerns to manage as the League One season gets under way, though he did not name specific players or provide return timescales in the excerpt made available. It is understood Stendel is keen to add depth in certain positions before the window shuts, with the Cleary situation potentially influencing how aggressively the club pursues those targets.

"We are looking at signings," Stendel indicated, acknowledging that recruitment remains a priority. He did not confirm any names or indicate how close any deals might be.

A difficult start to the campaign

The timing of these comments matters. Barnsley have already played at least one League One fixture this season, and the pressure to build a cohesive squad is real. Any injury disruption early in the campaign, combined with continued uncertainty over one of the squad's most-coveted assets, represents a challenging set of circumstances for the German manager to navigate.

Stendel, who has history with Barnsley from a previous spell in charge, returned with significant goodwill from the fanbase. Supporters will be watching closely to see whether that goodwill translates into a squad capable of challenging at the right end of the third-tier table. Retaining Cleary through the window, if that is ultimately what happens, would be seen by many as a considerable statement of intent.

What happens next

According to the BBC report, Stendel was in a measured mood, presenting the club as in command of its own decisions rather than being forced into any outcome. Whether that composure is tested by a fresh and more substantial bid in the coming days remains to be seen. The transfer window's final stages tend to accelerate quickly, and a club of Barnsley's profile in League One will be well aware that resisting interest for a player of Cleary's calibre becomes harder the closer the deadline looms.

For now, Cleary trains and prepares with his Barnsley teammates, and Stendel will be hoping that clarity, one way or another, comes sooner rather than later so he can focus attention on the challenges that League One itself will present across a long and demanding season.

Frequently asked

Is Reyes Cleary leaving Barnsley?
As of 13 August, Barnsley head coach Daniel Stendel confirmed Cleary is still at the club, saying "at the moment he is here". Bids are understood to have been rejected, but the situation remains fluid before the transfer window closes.
Who is Barnsley's manager?
Barnsley's head coach is Daniel Stendel, who has previous history with the club from an earlier spell in charge.
Are Barnsley signing any players this window?
Stendel indicated in his BBC Radio Sheffield interview that Barnsley are looking at potential signings, though no names or imminent deals were confirmed.