Barnsley have just completed the loan signing of Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Matthew Craig.
The 21-year-old has been with the Premier League side since 2019 and played in the EFL last season, when he joined Doncaster Rovers in January for the second half of the campaign.
Craig has now joined the Tykes on a season-long loan deal, which may come as a surprise given the player was being watched by Championship duo Millwall and Sheffield Wednesday in April.
Millwall and Sheffield Wednesday’s previous interest in Matthew Craig
It was reported by Football Insider in April that both Millwall and Sheffield Wednesday were keeping an eye on Craig ahead of the summer transfer window.
The report stated that the midfielder had impressed during his time with Doncaster, and the Championship pair were planning to make loan moves for the player. Craig is said to be highly rated at Tottenham, captaining the club’s under-21 side before joining Doncaster on loan in January.
However, both Millwall and Wednesday didn’t make a move for Craig, and instead, it was Barnsley that won the midfielder’s signature.
But while either club didn’t make a concrete move for Craig, Barnsley can be excited by that transfer talk, as it shows what type of player they have joining their club.
Millwall, Sheffield Wednesday, Matthew Craig talk can excite Barnsley
It is very common for teams up and down the EFL to turn to teams like Tottenham and look to take their best young prospects on loan for the season.
Craig is someone who has shown signs of real promise while playing for Spurs’ academy, and the six-month loan spell at Doncaster last season was a chance to showcase his ability in first-team football.
The midfielder did exactly that. He started all 18 games he played for the League Two side, helping the club reach the play-offs. Craig operated in central midfield for Doncaster, starting in a more defensive role before playing a bit further forward as the season progressed.