West Brom can bank significant windfall from ‘outstanding’ Reyes Cleary after what happened in Liverpool vs Barnsley
Reyes Cleary struggled at West Brom but gave Liverpool nightmares in the FA Cup.
The former England Under-19 international failed to make the grade at West Brom after making just seven first-team appearances.
The forward didn’t exactly pull up trees during a loan spell at League Two side Walsall in the first half of last season, but he did impress at National League level for Hartlepool United in the second half of the campaign.
Few would have predicted the six goals he scored at Hartlepool would translate to League One level but since leaving West Brom for Barnsley last July, the 21-year-old has been mightily impressive.
That was no more so the case in Barnsley’s third round FA Cup tie away to Liverpool on Monday, with the winger causing Arne Slot’s defence all sorts of problems.
Although Cleary was dejected at his team’s 4-1 defeat, he afforded himself a wry smile when he was given the player of the match award. That display made many Baggies fans, among others, take notice.
Ally McCoist raves about Reyes Cleary’s Liverpool performance
Although Barnsley’s FA Cup run is over, they gave Liverpool quite the scare, despite the lopsided scoreline. Cleary was a constant threat down the left wing, with his pace and trickery causing problems for Jeremie Frimpong and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Indeed, Rangers legend and TNT Sports commentator Ally McCoist hailed Cleary’s “outstanding” outing at Anfield.
He said during the game: “I understand it doesn’t happen a lot when somebody in the losing side wins Man of the Match. However, I just think he’s been outstanding. I’ve really enjoyed his performance.“
In the match itself, Cleary had three successful dribbles, won three fouls, made three interceptions and was unfortunate not to earn his side a penalty after a coming together with Szoboszlai in the box when the game was at 2-1.
Incidentally, this is not the first time the youngster has made headlines. Earlier this season, Cleary scored a stunning long-range strike in League One action, and it seems that quality is here to stay.
Cleary is said to be valued at £5million by Barnsley but, if he keeps these performances up, he could leave for a lot more than that in the not-so-distant future.
West Brom make wise transfer decision
While some fans have been calling on West Brom to re-sign their academy product, it is not like they didn’t try and keep him.
The Baggies did offer him a new deal but Cleary rejected that proposal in favour of Barnsley, where he was much more likely to get guaranteed game time.
Although they couldn’t extend his stay, they had the forethought to insert a sell-on clause into the Barnsley transfer, meaning the Baggies stand to gain a great deal financially in the future.
- Cleary has five goals in 25 appearances across all competitions for Barnsley this season
- He struggled to muscle his way into the first-team picture at The Hawthorns, and made just seven appearances
- Cleary only scored once in seven outings for Walsall last term, before his loan was terminated and he joined Hartlepool
Cleary, who was prolific in front of goal at youth level and attracted high-profile interest earlier in his teenage years, may be the one that got away for West Brom.
But at least they stand to pocket a tasty windfall if he continues on his current trajectory. If so, that could allow West Brom to sign a talented youngster of their own in their bid to reach the Premier League.
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