Mason Holgate is moving closer to leaving Barnsley this summer after rejecting an offer of a new contract.
Reds chief executive Ben Mansford has confirmed that the 18-year-old defender has turned down an extension to his current deal which expires next summer.
Barnsley may therefore be tempted to accept bids from the Premier League clubs who have been watching him closely.While there has been no official approach as yet, Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood is reportedly considering a £1million bid.
The Reds have offered the same professional terms signed by now England international John Stones to Holgate, who has been training with Barnsley's under 21s and could be left out of the upcoming pre-season friendlies against Stalybridge and Guiseley.
The defender's agent was due to meet last night with Barnsley owner Patrick Cryne, head coach Lee Johnson and chief executive Ben Mansford.
"Mason has rejected our offer of a new contract which is on parity with the contracts signed by some of our best young players in recent years," said Mansford.
"He is a very young boy with great potential. We feel it is right for him to stay at Barnsley but we need him to feel the same."
Holgate is one of the most highly-rated graduates of the Oakwell academy, where he spent a decade honing his skills. He broke into the first team in December then impressed in 22 appearances, scoring his first goal in the final day 5-0 win over Rochdale.
Head coach Lee Johnson told the Chronicle: "Mason is an outstanding talent and I believe he will go to the top. How quickly he goes to the top will probably be determined in the next three or four weeks and where he ends up.
"The contract situation is obviously a key part of it. We don't want to lose our best players but, if they have got that desire to chase the dream early, then it is very difficult to stop them. If he does leave, then the club will be compensated in the right way."
