Head coach of English League One side Barnsley, Conor Hourihane, has confirmed that Nigeria international midfielder Kelechi Nwakali is free to leave the club before the end of the ongoing summer transfer window.
Nwakali, 26, was banished from first-team training after returning late from his holiday in Nigeria ahead of pre-season. His absence from preparations resulted in his omission from Barnsley’s matchday squads against Plymouth Argyle, Burton Albion, Fleetwood Town and Bolton Wanderers.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of Barnsley’s clash with Peterborough United, Hourihane made it clear that the midfielder does not feature in his long-term plans.
The coach also referenced Nwakali’s disciplinary history, recalling his dismissal by Spanish side Huesca for a similar issue in 2022.
Hourihane explained the club’s stance:
“Obviously there’s a couple of weeks to go in the window. Let’s see where it takes us,” he said. And when asked directly about the possibility of allowing Nwakali to leave, he replied, “Yes, that’s the plan.”
With the transfer window still open, the former Arsenal academy graduate could now be on the move once again as Barnsley seek to part ways with him.
