Charlie Lennon, a Middlesbrough teenager, is expected to join Barnsley permanently in January.

According to Football Insider, the Tykes have secured a deal with the Championship club for the 19-year-old.

The youngster’s contract with the Teesside club is set to expire in the summer, creating some uncertainty over his future.

The midfielder has struggled to break into the Riverside first team and is yet to make a senior game this season.

Lennon made his Middlesbrough debut on April 27, 2024, coming off the bench in a 4-1 victory over Cardiff City under Michael Carrick, although he has not appeared for the club since.

Barnsley closes near on Middlesbrough signing.

Barnsley reportedly reached an agreement with Middlesbrough to sign Lennon this month.

The Tykes are looking for midfield reinforcements and have targeted the 19-year-old, who is in the final six months of his Boro contract.

The teenager spent the first part of the season on loan at Darlington, where he scored two goals in 19 appearances across all competitions.

However, following an agreement between Barnsley and the Teesside club, he will now move up to League One.

While the sixth-tier club prolonged his loan stint for another month, it may potentially be in risk ahead of his move to Oakwell.

It remains to be seen whether he will play an immediate role in Conor Hourihane’s first-team ambitions, or if he will be loaned out for the second half of the season.

Barnsley are presently 17th in League One, barely two points above the relegation zone but with more games in hand than all of their close opponents.

Charlie Lennon’s move to Barnsley is a terrific opportunity for him.

He was not part of Middlesbrough’s first-team ambitions and his contract was set to expire later this year, so this move makes sense.

The adolescent is more likely to be involved at the senior level in League One than a second-tier promotion contender.

He played admirably in the sixth division of English football with Darlington, and he should move up the pyramid in 2026, even if he ends up on loan to a League Two or National League club.

Barnsley offers Lennon a genuine road to first-team play if he continues to improve, so this is a fantastic opportunity for him.