Leeds United’s Tom Pearce is expecting to become a Barnsley player before the transfer window ends.
The 21-year-old is out of favour under head coach Marcelo Bielsa and considered surplus to requirements, a little over one year after signing a four-year contract.
The England under-21 international has been training near York with fellow outcast Conor Shaughnessy as the pair keep their fitness up ahead of moves away.
Now Barnsley, who have already taken Aapo Halme and Mallik Wilks from West Yorkshire this summer, look set to snare the left-back for a six-figure fee plus add-ons.
LeedsLive understands Pearce will sign a three-year deal at Oakwell on similar terms to those he was on at Elland Road.
Pearce broke into the first team under Paul Heckingbottom in the final knockings of the 2017/18 campaign.
Last summer he was courted by more than one Premier League club, but signed a long-term contract with the Whites to end the transfer speculation.
However, days later Bielsa arrived and never gave the youngster a prolonged run in last season’s side before an eventual loan to Scunthorpe United in League One.
As with the likes of Ouasim Bouy, Vurnon Anita and Laurens De Bock, Pearce was told to train away from Thorp Arch in pre-season.
Bolton Wanderers had shown interest, but the Tykes are expected to become Pearce’s new employer before the weekend.
