Luke Steele expected to depart Barnsley

Barnsley boss David Flitcroft has admitted that he expects goalkeeper Luke Steele to depart the club this summer.

The 28-year-old has been offered a one-year contract by the Tykes, but it is understood that the former Manchester United stopper wants a long-term deal.

"If Luke was 22 then we'd offer him a two-year or three-year deal, but age is a critical thing and we don't know what our budget will be after this season so we have to plan carefully," he told the Barnsley Chronicle.

"You've only got to look at Manchester United and see how they do things. The best players in the world only get one-year deals when the time is right and we have to look at their example.

"I want players to be hungry and flexible and it could be that there is a bigger opportunity out there for Luke and I wouldn't want to stand in his way if that's what he wanted."

A host of clubs are understood to be monitoring proceedings.