Exclusive: Barnsley Confident of Beating Rivals to Southampton Striker Dom Ballard

Barnsley are confident they will sign Southampton’s Dom Ballard before the end of the transfer window, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

Tykes’ boss Conor Hourihane is desperate to add a couple of high-quality acquisitions for his side’s promotion push.

And it is understood that Saints’ youngster Ballard is top of his wish list heading into the final week of the transfer window. 

The 20-year-old has shown plenty of promise during the early stages of his fledgling career and has been capped at U17, U18, U19 and U20 level for England.

And with a year left on his contract, it is understood Southampton want to receive a fee for the player rather than sending him out on loan this season and letting him leave for free next summer.

Reading, Plymouth Argyle and Leyton Orient are the other teams sniffing around the player.

But it is understood South Yorkshire remains the most likely destination for the young striker. 

The player fits the profile Barnsley have looked for in the past with the potential of making a profit down the line.

When asked about the chances of signing Ballard, Hourihane said: “He has been discussed, he’s a good age and a good asset for the club.”

Good Pedigree

A graduate from the club’s well-renowned academy, Ballard has played just four times for the Saints’ senior side. 

He made a dream debut when he scored in the EFL Cup in 2022, made an appearance in the FA Cup later in the season.

Already relegated, Ballard made his Premier League bow when he came off the bench during a 3-1 defeat at Brighton and Hove Albion and played the final game of their league campaign in the 4-4 draw with champions Liverpool. 

Ballard enjoyed a loan spell at Reading in the 2023/24 season, scoring five goals in 12 games before being ruled out for the season after snapping his patellar tendon. 

Last season, he scored once in 18 league games for Blackpool before moving to Cambridge United, where he scored twice in 17 games.