Oliver Wilkinson.

[POGGYWELL]

Chronicle:

OLIVER Wilkinson, the England under 16s captain and the youngest player to start a game for Barnsley, looks set to leave the club this summer, the Chronicle understands.
The 16-year-old defender is considered one of the best prospects to come out of the Reds academy in recent years and has previously been monitored by some of the top clubs in the Premier League.

It is understood he has not started his under 18s scholarship with the Reds and is looking to move elsewhere but has not signed with another club as of yet.
Barnsley would be entitled to a significant tribunal payment from any club who signs him, due to him being with the Reds for seven years and his international honours.
Wilkinson also made history for the Reds last August when he started their EFL Trophy game against Manchester United under 21s at the age of 15 becoming their youngest ever starter.

He then spent the rest of the season playing for the youth teams and captaining England under 16s on multiple occasions before suffering an injury.
Academy manager Bobby Hassell said I did everything we could to convince him to stay.
?My connection to the England coaching staff got him his initial call-up and unfortunately outside influences have convinced him his best option are outside of Barnsley.

[Shadrack the Red]

Its a shame , history proves staying with the reds proved to be a winner for John Stones , his path to the top was no doubt aided by the invaluable experience he got through our academy and through playing for the 21"s and then the first team but it would appear that the lad has had his head turned but no doubt he is getting advice from someone him and his family trust , I wish him well but I do believe you have to learn how to walk before you run and maybe stopping with us for a couple more years might have been beneficial to the lad but we will never know , I wish him well but I am disappointed he has chosen to move on.

[NerfHerder]

Its a shame , history proves staying with the reds proved to be a winner for John Stones , his path to the top was no doubt aided by the invaluable experience he got through our academy and through playing for the 21"s and then the first team but it would appear that the lad has had his head turned but no doubt he is getting advice from someone him and his family trust , I wish him well but I do believe you have to learn how to walk before you run and maybe stopping with us for a couple more years might have been beneficial to the lad but we will never know , I wish him well but I am disappointed he has chosen to move on.

Agree with all of this.

I was looking forward to him breaking into our team at a young age and doing similar, as you have mentioned, to Stones where he’s not here long but at least he’s broke through with us.

I don’t think many young lads that age could turn down the money he’s probably getting offered. I imagine that he will have a whole host of clubs eyeing him up as we all know what the big teams are like for hoovering up talent. Be interesting to see which club he ends up and how his career unfolds.

I don’t agree with him not turning up to training but I guess I don’t know the full ins and outs. I wish him well though.