Barnsley have triggered the release clause in Kyle Dempsey's contract at Carlisle United but are expecting to lose out to Championship clubs, the Chronicle understands.

The Reds are understood to have matched the required price of £300,000 for the 19-year-old winger who netted 11 goals for the League Two club last season, throughout which he was regularly linked with a move to Oakwell.

But, with Championship clubs MK Dons and Huddersfield Town also interested, Barnsley will have to hope that Dempsey copies new signing Alfie Mawson's choice to value the extra gametime the Reds can offer and the guidance of Lee Johnson over the better wages and standard of football in the Championship.

Johnson told the Chronicle: "It's no secret that we've put a bid in for Kyle.  I admire the player greatly and I think he'll have a great career.

"There is other interest which may be a problem for us.  I don't want to say too much on him because he's not our player at the moment and the likelihood is that he won't become our player."