Football
Exclusive: Kelechi Nwakali’s Camp Confirms Midfielder Seeking Move Away from Barnsley
26-year-old Nigerian midfielder Kelechi Nwakali is seeking a move away from Barnsley for more playing time. Despite rumors of a rift, his camp insists it's solely to play regularly. Interest from England and Spain, with discussions ongoing. Nwakali has been left out of recent squads but his contract has not been terminated. He made significant contributions to Barnsley last season.
Northampton Town FC v Barnsley FC - Sky Bet League One by Pete Norton | Getty Images
Nigerian midfielder Kelechi Nwakali is pushing for a move away from Barnsley during the current summer transfer window, his camp has confirmed to SportsBoom.
The 26-year-old’s future at Oakwell remains uncertain, with both the player and the club exploring options before the window closes.
No Rift with Club or Coach
Contrary to speculation of a fallout, Nwakali’s representative, Allwell Nwakali, told SportsBoom.com that the midfielder’s decision stems solely from a desire for regular football.
“Kelechi has no problem with Barnsley or the coach,” he told SportsBoom.com.
“He only informed the club about his desire to go on loan in order to get regular playing time.”
Interest from England and Spain
With two years still remaining on his contract, Nwakali has been linked with several clubs in England and Spain. Discussions are ongoing with teams in the Championship and League One.
“Barnsley is speaking with interested clubs,” Allwell confirmed.
“We will see how it pans out. I don’t want to say he will join a particular club and then sign for another, but negotiations are ongoing.”
Left Out of Squad
Nwakali, who joined the Reds from Portuguese side G.D. Chaves in August 2024 on a three-year deal, has been excluded from Conor Hourihane’s pre-season and early competitive squads.
Reports had suggested he was dismissed after returning late from holiday, but his camp dismissed those claims.
“The story about the sack is not true,” Allwell insisted.
“The player reported from his holiday at the appropriate time. But because of his desire to leave, the coach decided to work with other players. Kelechi still has two years on his contract and it has not been terminated.”
Contribution to Barnsley
Despite his current situation, Nwakali made 26 appearances for Barnsley last season. He was named Man of the Match against Cambridge United and Exeter City, while his strike against Exeter in December 2024 was voted the club’s Goal of the Month.
Seyi Alao is a Nigerian sports reporter, writer, and producer, known for delivering engaging sports content in both English and Pidgin. At Brila FM, I transitioned seamlessly into the role of Content Creator, demonstrating a deep understanding of media dynamics and effectively crafting captivating and informative narratives.