Two of Barnsley’s longest serving players could be set to depart Oakwell this summer after being offered only one year deals… on reduced money.
Defender cum midfielder Bobby Hassell, 32, has made 295 appearances for the club since joining in 2004 and if he stays will head into his testimonial year, and goalkeeper Luke Steele, 28 has played 164 times since arriving in 2008.
Both have been offered just one-year contract extensions and on reduced wages to what they currently earn. It may have been expected for former Mansfield man Hassell as he was only a bit part player in 2012-2013, making 21 appearances, the exact same as 2011-2012, his lowest in his time at the club but Steele was a key performer after returning from a summer injury in November to play all 37 games from the 3rd November onwards.
Out of the seven players the club confirmed they were looking to retain, only Martin Cranie and Tom Kennedy were offered two-year contracts with Hassell, Steele, Jim McNulty, Tomasz Cywka and Jason Scotland offered only an extra 12 months. Due to their performances and loyalty over the years it is believed both Hassell and Steele feel insulted by the offers and now could opt to leave the club. Steele, who made a match-winning debut at Liverpool in the FA Cup five years ago, has been heavily linked with a move to Premier League new boys Hull City.
Meanwhile winger Kelvin Etuhu looks set to be the latest player to commit his future to the club. Kennedy and Scotland have signed new contracts and when former Manchester City youngster Etuhu signed from Portsmouth last June, there was an option placed in his contract to extend the deal by two years if he impressed in his first 12 months. Sources have now confirmed to TykesMad that the club have activated that option to keep the 25 year old at Oakwell until 2015- again something that may irk Hassell and Steele.