NOTE: Since the release of this article the original source Alan Nixon has clarified on his Patreon that he made a mistake. Rather than Ronan Coughlin, Barnsley are targeting Promis Omochere from Fleetwood Town. Therefore, this article is no longer relevant as it reflects the original information.
League One side Barnsley are reportedly interested in Fleetwood Town striker Ronan Coughlin.
The striker is rumoured to be rated around the £500,000 mark according to Alan Nixon (paywall), with Ronan only joining Fleetwood in January.
Who is Ronan Coughlin?
The 27-year-old joined the Huddersfield U23 squad in 2014 from LFC Academy in the Republic of Ireland where he failed to make an appearance for the senior squad.
The striker then returned to Ireland joining Bray Wanderers in February 2018 after being without a club for 18 months where he went on to play 22 games in all competitions.
In the summer window of the same year, he went on to join Cork City where he spent 18 months but only made 11 appearances for the club.
He then went onto play for Sligo Rovers for 18 months scoring 18 goals in 51 appearances, then onto St Pat’s in January 2021 scoring nine in 44 games.
His most prolific spell was with Waterford who he joined in February 2023, scoring 36 goals in just 35 appearances which caught the eye of then League One side Fleetwood Town who he joined in January 2024.
How did Ronan perform last season?
In the six months Ronan was at Fleetwood he started nine games, scoring two goals and assisting one.
Although Fleetwood improved under Charlie Adam towards the end of the season, it did end in relegation. Coughlan per 90 minutes averaged 3.06 shots, and 5.99 touches in the opposition box. He also in total had an xG of 2.69 from 25 shots with 10 of those on target in the league.
What is the current striker situation at Barnsley?
Currently, Barnsley has three recognised strikers contracted to the club after their top scorer Devante Cole’s contract expired at the end of last season, James McAtee returned to Luton after his loan expired and Andrew Dallas was loaned out to League Two side Barrow
Sam Cosgrove the 27-year-old had a very strong end to the season scoring 3 goals over their two playoff games with Bolton. In total, he scored six goals last season. Sam has experienced promotion from the level before being promoted with Plymouth in 22/23 but did only start 10 games in League One last season.
Max Watters like Cosgrove only started nine games last season but only appeared in the matchday squad twice from the end of February.
21-year-old Aiden Marsh is yet to start a League One match after coming through the ranks at Barnsley but has appeared nine times off the bench.