The Tykes took the Owls all the way in the League One play-off final on May 29 only to see Josh Windass head Wednesday into the Championship after 123 nip-and-tuck minutes.

And now it seems they may lose their highly-rated manager, with Michael Duff widely reported to be in talks with Swansea City.

The PA report that the Swans have made an approach to Barnsley with a view to taking Duff on and though ‘talks are progessing’, it’s said no agreement has yet been struck between the clubs.

Duff earned rave reviews for the job done in turning the Oakwell club around following relegation from the Championship in 2022. Swansea finished 10th in the second tier last season and will have designs on a promotion push this term.

He looks likely to replace Russell Martin in South Wales as the final touches are put on Martin’s switch to Southampton.

The Star understand that Owls attacker Windass is a player Martin would be interested in taking to St Marys as he looks to build a squad designed for a Championship promotion tilt.

An official announcement has been delayed, but it’s understood that a contract has been agreed and that confirmation of his move to the south coast club could arrive in the coming days.

The Argentina-born forward became a terrace hero during a stint at S6 that saw the Owls undertake two Championship play-off campaigns before injury stunted his contribution. He left South Yorkshire having netted 40 Owls goals in 134 appearances in 2020.

After a spell in Italy with Udinese, The Star broke the news that Forestieri would sign for big spending Malaysian Super League outfit Johor Darul Ta’zim in January 2022.

Things have gone pretty well since. In just 18 months Forestieri has collected five trophies, bagging 21 goals in 35 matches last season as Johor romped to a domestic treble.

But it is this season that is shaping up to be something quite remarkable for the former Italy youth international. In 15 outings he has a remarkable tally of 25 direct goal involvements – 15 goals and 10 assists – and sits at the top of the goalscorers table.

n fact, Forestieri has failed to offer a goal or assist in only one match so far – an opening day win over Terengganu FC in February.

With former Swansea City defender Jordi Amat in defence wearing the captain’s armband, Johor have won every game they have played this season. They’ve opened up an 11-point lead over second-placed Selangor having scored 54 goals and conceded only two in their 14 league matches.

It looks highly likely Forestieri will add to his burgeoning tally of honours by the time the season is out.