Reports are firming up that Barnsley and Aberdeen now lead the race to sign Inverness Caledonian Thistle midfielder Marley Watkins on a free transfer,
The 24-year-old winger scored the first goal at Hampden Park last weekend as Scottish Premiership side Inverness defeated Championship outfit Falkirk 2-1 in the Scottish Cup Final.
Watkins was also named Man of the Match but after helping Caley to their first ever piece of major silverware, has turned down the offer of a new contract and wants to test himself at a higher level.
Aberdeen, who finished runners up to Celtic in this year’s Scottish Premiership and Barnsley are now the front runners and The Reds could edge it as Watkins was born in England, and despite growing up in Wales has spent most of his career here, featuring for Cheltenham, Bath City and Hereford before joining Inverness in 2013.
In his first season with the Jags he helped them finish fifth in the top flight and reach the Quarter-Finals of the Scottish Cup.
Watkins netted nine times in 39 appearances in 2014-2015 as Inverness finished in their joint highest ever place- third in the Premiership and went two steps further by winning the cup.
Watkins arrived at Oakwell for talks with Head Coach Lee Johnson this week and could even sign on the dotted line tomorrow.
| Marley Watkins (Inverness Caledonian Thistle) information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | Wednesday, 17th October 1990 | Height | 5ft 10in |
| Place of birth | London, England | Weight | 10st 3lb |
| International | Position | Midfielder | |
| Comments | Squad No. | 15 | |
| Recent career history by club (1999 onwards) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | Debut | Apps (+ sub) | Goals | Yellows | Reds |
| Inverness Caledonian Thistle | 24 Aug 2013 | 42 (3) | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Hereford United | 10 Aug 2012 | 34 (0) | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| Bath City | 05 Feb 2011 | 45 (10) | 8 | 5 | 0 |
| Cheltenham Town | 28 Dec 2010 | 0 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bath City | 25 Sep 2010 | 5 (1) | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Cheltenham Town | 09 Aug 2008 | 9 (18) | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Recent career history by season (1999 onwards) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | First App. | Apps (+ sub) | Goals | Yellows | Reds |
| 2014/2015 | 16 Aug 2014 | 27 (0) | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013/2014 | 24 Aug 2013 | 15 (3) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2012/2013 | 10 Aug 2012 | 34 (0) | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 2011/2012 | 13 Aug 2011 | 30 (9) | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| 2010/2011 | 25 Sep 2010 | 20 (3) | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| 2009/2010 | 29 Aug 2009 | 5 (9) | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2008/2009 | 09 Aug 2008 | 4 (9) | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Total appearances 135 (+ 33 as sub); Goals 21; Yellow cards 13; Red cards 0