Former Barnsley manager Danny Wilson has today confirmed his ex side have made a bid for his current club’s star winger Gboly Ariyibi.
The 21-year old- full name Omogbolahan Gregory Ariyibi really came to prominence at Chesterfield last season following his arrival from Leeds the previous summer.
Originally from the United Sates Aryibi was spotted by Southampton as a youngster and came through the same, fabled Saints youth team as Luke Shaw and James Ward-Prowse, however then manager Mauricio Pochettino decided against offering him a permanent deal and he left in the summer of 2013 after eight years.
Ariyibi signed for Leeds United in the December of that year and he made two appearances for the Elland Road outfit but was released at the end of the season and signed for Chesterfield.
Ariybi who has represented his country at Under 20 and Under 23 level has made 65 appearances for the Spireties and fits the bill for young hungry players that Paul Heckingbottom is committed to signing. That has this week led to a bid of around £250,000 being submitted, but Wilson today called that “derisory” with Chesterfield hoping for closer to £3m despite the player’s contract being up next summer.
It is likely to be the same situation as Tom Bradshaw, whereby Walsall turned down an initial bid despite the player’s contract dwindling and eventually the two clubs reached a compromise, significantly lower than the selling club’s original value. It remains to be seen whether The Reds will go back in for Ariyibi although now armed with £7m from the John Stones deal it is likely they will increase their offer.