Exclusive: Barnsley Keeping Tabs on Ex-Forest Midfielder Ben Osborn

Ben Osborn is on Barnsley’s shortlist as part of their summer rebuild if Stockport County decide against turning his loan move from Derby County into a permanent deal, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

The former Nottingham Forest midfielder, who can also operate at wing-back, did not play alongside Tykes boss Conor Hourihane after joining The Rams from Sheffield United.

But that has not stopped the Irishman, who took charge at Oakwell on a permanent basis in March having initially been appointed on an interim basis, from monitoring his situation closely in recent months. 

The pair did work together at Bramall Lane and, with Hourihane hoping to bolster the options at his disposal following a disappointing season, Osborn’s experience and versatility would make him an ideal signing.

Barnsley are braced for a summer exodus with a number of players out of contract come the end of the season. 

Derby have already confirmed they won’t be renewing Osborn’s contract, meaning he’ll be available on a free transfer if Stockport opt out of signing him permanently.

Derby Exit Looms

Aged 31, Osborn has made 10 appearances for The Hatters after being allowed to leave the east Midlands by Rams manager John Eustace. 

However, the agreement he struck at Edgeley Park is not thought to contain an obligation-to-buy clause, which potentially leaves Dave Challinor’s side in a vulnerable position unless they are able to secure promotion.

It is understood Osborn would consider a switch to Barnsley because of its close proximity to his family home. Located just north of Sheffield, he never moved during a five year stint with The Blades and is known to have business interests in the area.

Osborn actually started his career with County, before heading to their arch-rivals Nottingham Forest, initially as a youth team player, in 2003. 

He made his professional debut for Forest 11 years later, featuring 230 times head of his switch to The Blades following their promotion to the Premier League in 2019 and was a member of the squad which Chris Wilder, then in the first of three spells at the helm, guided to a remarkable ninth placed finish in the table before they were relegated the season after.