Spireites boss Danny Wilson confirm Barnsley bid for Gboly Ariyibi
Monday 22 August 2016 15:37, UK
Chesterfield manager Danny Wilson has confirmed the club have turned down what he called a "derisory" offer from Barnsley for winger Gboly Ariyibi.
Press Association Sport understands the bid was around £250,000, which falls some way short of the ambitious £3million valuation put on the player by the club's hierarchy earlier this month.
In reality, Chesterfield would be prepared to sell for much less than that figure as Ariyibi is into the final year of his contract but Wilson would ultimately like to keep him at the Proact Stadium.
"We received an offer from Barnsley for Gboly, which can only be described as derisory for a player of his ability and potential. The offer was rejected out of hand," Wilson told the club's official website.
"I am keen to keep Gboly as he is very much part of my plans and I know that the board share the same view."
Chesterfield have recently made attempts to get Ariyibi to sign a new contract but so far to no avail.
Barnsley are the latest Championship club to express an interest in the USA Under-23 international after Rotherham and Reading made enquiries this summer but the only other offer received by the Spireites was from League One rivals Oxford, which was also turned down.
However, with several clubs monitoring his situation it appears likely Ariyibi will not sign fresh terms and depart before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.
Ariyibi came through the youth ranks at Southampton with the likes of Luke Shaw and James Ward-Prowse before signing for Leeds. He joined Chesterfield in the summer of 2014 following a trial at the club and has gone on to make over 60 appearances for the Spireites, scoring four goals.
