Barnsley are leading the chase for Carlisle United’s rising star Kyle Dempsey.
The 19-year-old midfielder emerged through the youth ranks at Brunton Park and made his debut for the side in January of this year.
He made only four appearances for the Cumbrians in League One last season but has been a key component for Keith Curle’s outfit this campaign as they battle to avoid the drop out of the Football League, scoring five goals in 17 games in 2014-2015 so far.
This form has led a host of sides from the Championship and League One to send scouts up to watch Dempsey in action but The Reds are the first side to make an approach.
After Carlisle’s 3-0 defeat at Portsmouth at the weekend, Curle, who had a short spell as a player at Oakwell in 2002 told the local press:
"A representative from Barnsley rang up Carlisle managing director John Nixon,"
"John asked them to make the offer official by putting it in writing."
Barnsley boss Danny Wilson has proved he is not afraid to snap up promising young players from the lower leagues and give them first team action after signing the likes of Sam Winnall (Scunthorpe), Conor Hourihane (Plymouth), and Luke Berry (Cambridge) in the summer.