Barnsley Football Club have today been granted permission to speak with Manchester United midfielder Oliver Norwood after seeing a bid of around £400,000 accepted by the Old Trafford giants.
Reds boss Keith Hill has been chasing Norwood, who enjoyed a stint on loan with Coventry last season, almost since the 2011-2012 campaign ended in April.
United rejected an initial bid of £200,000 but Reds director Don Rowing has confirmed to the Star that the club doubled their offer and now it looks like it will come down to a straight fight between Barnsley and local neighbours Huddersfield for the 21 year old’s signature.
Norwood, who has represented England at Under 17 level and Northern Ireland at U19, U21, B and senior level enjoyed a productive campaign with the Sky Blues last season, impressing in his 18 appearances despite Coventry slipping into League One. Coventry boss Andy Thorn was hoping to tempt Norwood to remain in the Midlands, but it is believed the six cap Northern Irish international wants to further his career in the Championship.
Rowing told the Star:
“We’ve agreed a fee for him, but we’ve got to discuss personal terms so there’s still a long way to go,”
“Keith wants to add a couple more players to his squad and he fits the bill.”
Hill admitted to local press at the start of the week that he had begun contract discussions with an unnamed player but at the moment they were “a million miles away” from agreement. That player is now believed to be Norwood with Hill keen to have him signed before the club embark on a pre-season trip to Spain on the 8th July.