Portsmouth facing setback over permanent move for Barnsley's Cameron McGeehan

The Blues are facing huge difficulties financing a move for the Barnsley midfielder with the EFL wage cap looming on the horizon.

That leaves another loan bid for the man who arrived at Fratton Park in January as the best route to seeing him in a blue shirt again next season.

And the Tykes’ Championship fate could play a significant part in deciding how that option could pan out moving forward.

Barnsley have taken their survival bid to the final day and go to Brentford, who are harbouring ambitions of making it to the Premier League.

The News understands McGeehan commands wages of around £6,000 a week at Oakwell.

Pompey stand no chance of reaching those levels, and even if the 25-year-old was prepared to take a pay cut to return south it may prove a challenge to fit him within the framework of a £2.5m budget.

That is the ceiling afforded League One clubs at present, with the Blues’ playing budget currently believed to be around the £4m mark.

With 12 months still remaining on his existing deal, McGeehan would command a fee if he was move permanently.

It also means Barnsley hold sway over the path ahead for the former Luton man.

McGeehan had been firmly out of favour under Gerhard Struber before his move to PO4 which culminated in his penalty shootout miss against Oxford United this month in the play-offs.

It remains to be seen if that position will change in the event of Barnsley’s relegation, while there will be uncertainty over Struber’s if they are to go down. McGeehan made 17 appearances after joining Pompey with two goals arriving - including the goal that sent his side back to Wembley in the Leasing.com Trophy against Exeter.

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