Breaking News: Barnsley FC Sensational Ace Jon Russell Rejects Derby County And Blackburn Rovers Offer As He Signed A 5 Year Lucrative Deal With Stoke City. He Bids Goodbye To Depart For Potters Ground

Derby County and Stoke City among clubs ‘taking interest’ in Barnsley FC man

Barnsley midfielder Jon Russell has reportedly attracted interest from a host of Championship clubs – including Derby County and Stoke City.

The 24-year-old was a regular fixture in the heart of Barnsley’s midfield last season, racking up 46 appearances and scoring 11 goals.

He has been on the books at Oakwell since January 2023, when he left Barnsley’s Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield Town for pastures new in South Yorkshire.

Barnsley player Jon Russell is challenged by Carlisle player Taylor... News Photo - Getty Images

Russell, who has recently been on international duty with Jamaica, has now been linked with a clutch of clubs from the second tier.

Championship 2025/26 fixtures, dates, schedule & how to watch: Birmingham vs Ipswich, Southampton vs Wrexham open new season

Every game from the opening weekend of the EFL season across the Championship, League One and League Two will be shown on Sky Sports+ live; the 2025/26 Championship begins on Friday August 8 with Birmingham vs Ipswich, live on Sky Sports Football

Barnsley player Jon Russell is challenged by Carlisle player Taylor... News Photo - Getty Images

Birmingham vs Ipswich will kick off the new 2025/26 Sky Bet Championship season on Friday August 8, live on Sky Sports.

The teams played two leagues apart last term, with Chris Davies’ Blues winning the Sky Bet League One title with an EFL record 111 points and Kieran McKenna’s Tractor Boys relegated from the Premier League in their first campaign in the top flight since 2001/02.

The game at St Andrew’s kicks off at 8pm, live on Sky Sports Football.

Barnsley player Jon Russell is challenged by Carlisle player Taylor... News Photo - Getty Images

The opening weekend continues with a bumper day of action on Saturday August 9, with every game live on Sky Sports.

At 12.30pm, live on Sky Sports, relegated side Southampton host League One runners-up Wrexham in the Red Dragons’ first second-tier fixture since 1982, while newly-promoted Charlton host Watford at The Valley.

In the third 12.30pm kick-off, Frank Lampard’s Coventry – play-off semi-finalists last season and play-off runners-up in 2022/23 – welcome Hull to the Coventry Building Society Arena

Later on, at 5.30pm, Bristol City travel to Bramall Lane to take on Sheffield United, who they lost 6-0 on aggregate to in last season’s play-off semi-finals, live on Sky Sports.

The final game of the opening weekend sees relegated Leicester – Sky Bet Championship winners in 2023/24 – host Sheffield Wednesday at 4.30pm on Sunday August 10, live on Sky Sports.

At 3pm, another six fixtures will be available to watch live on Sky Sports+, including first competitive games for Middlesbrough‘s Rob Edwards, Norwich‘s Liam Manning and QPR‘s Julien Stephan.