Davis Keillor-Dunn’s transfer to Barnsley may have come late in the window, but it proved a masterstroke as the forward lit up Oakwell with 19 goals in his debut season.
Sporting director Mladen Sormaz has opened up on the “gamble” that paid off as the Reds weigh up another big summer.
The 27-year-old joined the club in a late deal on transfer deadline day in 2024, and his return of 19 goals in all competitions has marked him out as a key man heading into the 2025/26 season. His impressive form has justified the Reds’ decision to wait until the final hours of the window to complete the move, a strategy described as a “gamble” by Sormaz.
Reflecting on the deal
Reflecting on the transfer, Sormaz said the club held their nerve when others might have moved earlier.
“The difficult thing at some teams sometimes is the gamble. Do you hold out? For example, the biggest hold-out last year was for Davis as we knew what that situation was. I look at the guys who might have moved on earlier and am quite relieved we waited,” he explained.
The success of the Keillor-Dunn signing comes at a time when Barnsley are expected to be active again this summer, with Sormaz hinting that several deals are already in place.
“I get it can be frustrating and we don’t look to do it in every single case. But sometimes, it’s worth knowing there are deals there already ready in terms of operations and deals on the table where we just decide when we are pulling that trigger.”
While most of Barnsley’s squad is enjoying a post-season break, one of their younger talents is still very much in action. Midfielder Vimal Yoganathan, on loan at Oldham Athletic, played a starring role in their National League play-off semi-final win at York City. The 19-year-old scored once and set up another to send Oldham to the Wembley final.
Yoganathan, who joined Oldham in January, had earlier signed a new three-and-a-half-year deal at Oakwell, keeping him at the club until 2028, with an option for an additional year. The former Liverpool academy player is seen as a key figure in the club’s future plans.
Writer’s View
Barnsley’s deadline day coup for Davis Keillor-Dunn is a testament to the club’s strategic patience in the transfer market. Sormaz’s remarks highlight a methodical approach rarely seen in League One, where short-term decisions often dominate.
With nearly 20 goals to his name and strong interest from Championship clubs such as QPR and Wrexham, Keillor-Dunn’s value has soared. If Barnsley can keep hold of him while integrating talents like Yoganathan, they could be poised for a stronger push next season—provided the “gambles” continue to pay off.
