Barnsley FC head coach Conor Hourihane has made it clear that Nigerian midfielder Kelechi Nwakali will be allowed to leave the club before the end of the 2025 summer transfer window, Afrosport reports.
The 26-year-old, once considered a key figure in Barnsley’s midfield, has been training away from the first-team squad after returning late from a holiday in Nigeria. That breach of discipline led to internal sanctions, with Nwakali missing recent fixtures against Plymouth Argyle, Burton Albion, Fleetwood Town, and Bolton Wanderers.
Speaking ahead of Barnsley’s upcoming clash with Peterborough United, Hourihane confirmed that Nwakali is not in his plans for the new season. Despite still having two years remaining on his contract, the club is now open to offers for the former Arsenal youth player.
“Yes, that’s the plan,” Hourihane said when asked about allowing Nwakali leave. “Obviously there’s a couple of weeks to go in the window. Let’s see where it takes us.”
Nwakali made 26 appearances across all competitions last season and earned both Goal of the Month and Player of the Month accolades during the winter. His contributions on the pitch made him a fan favorite, but repeated off-field issues have overshadowed his progress.
This is not the first time Nwakali has found himself in such a position. His contract with Spanish side Huesca was terminated under similar circumstances, raising long-standing concerns about his professionalism despite the clear talent he has.
Nwakali won the Golden Ball at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup where he captained Nigeria to the title in Chile.
