He was one of the best goalkeepers in the EFL in 2024/25, now Barnsley and Bolton want to sign him

Add as preferred source on Google

The summer transfer window is going to be a busy one for many teams and top players, and Bolton and Barnsley are looking to snap up one very important target early doors.

With the dust now settled on the 2024/25 campaign, both Barnsley and Bolton Wanderers will be plotting their next steps as they look to improve on their final league positions.

The two teams could and should really have been among the League One play-off spots this season, and reinforcements will need to be added to go one step further in 2025/26.

Either one of them could make one of the smartest moves in the summer transfer window according to the latest batch of rumours, but they’ll face competition.

• READ MORE: It’s already obvious Huddersfield Town will win League One in 2025/26, they’re on a mission this summer

League One clubs fighting over Crystal Palace youngster

The new report comes from Alan Nixon on Patreon, who discussed the future of Crystal Palace starlet Owen Goodman.

Nixon claims Barnsley are pursuing the 21-year-old this summer, but states the Tykes are battling with Bolton for his signature, with another loan move on the cards for the young goalkeeper.

Meanwhile, AFC Wimbledon are eager to keep Goodman for another year after an impressive loan spell down in League Two.

It remains to be seen whether Palace would let Goodman go and which club will win the race, but whoever does capture him will get one of the best loan signings in the EFL, that’s for sure.

• READ MORE: League Two side surprisingly top the list for most EFL promotions of all time

Owen Goodman played a starring role in AFC Wimbledon’s promotion

After proving his worth this season with a massive 25 clean sheets in 53 appearances, Goodman has the potential to become one of the best players in League One next season.

He conceded just 33 goals in the league last year and was absolutely crucial to Wimbledon’s promotion push, with three clean sheets in the play-offs, too.

Of all the goalkeepers in the EFL in 2024/25, only the record-breaking James Trafford kept more clean sheets than Goodman, with 29 across the campaign.

It’s not surprising Wimbledon want to retain him, then. Manager Johnnie Jackson has previously praised Goodman as being “unbelievable” and “incredible”, but the youngster will now need to make the right decision for his future.