Swansea City have agreed a fee that could rise to £5m for Barnsley central defender Alfie Mawson.
The 22-year-old is expected to agree personal terms this weekend before completing a move to the Liberty Stadium.
Mawson has been withdrawn from Barnsley’s squad for their weekend game with Rotherham and his price – which is dependent on appearances – reflects his status as a player of rich potential at a club that also developed England defender John Stones.
The defender enjoyed an impressive season at Oakwell last term – making 64 appearances in all competitions following a move from Brentford in June last year.
He helped Paul Heckingbottom’s side win both the League One play-off final and the Football League Trophy and has carried his good form into the new campaign.
Mawson has scored twice against Derby and Huddersfield and played a part in taking Barnsley to ninth in the Sky Bet Championship table.
The centre-half began his career at Brentford but did not make a single appearance for the club, instead going on a string of loan moves.
His most successful of those saw him spend the 2014/15 campaign at Wycombe and he now has well over 100 senior outings behind him.
Mawson would become Swansea’s eighth summer signing if he agrees to join Francesco Guidolin’s team.
Borja Baston moved to Wales for £15m from Atletico Madrid, with Fernando Llorente also arriving from Spanish football following a £5m switch from Sevilla.
Mike van der Hoorn, Leroy Fer, George Byers, Tyder Reid and Mark Birighitti are the other players to have signed for Swansea since the end of last season.
The move is subject to the 22-year-old agreeing personal terms at the Liberty,” said Swansea in a website statement.
Swansea manager Guidolin had targeted a central defender following the departure of club captain Ashley Williams to Everton.
Jordi Amat, Federico Fernandez and former Ajax youngster Mike van der Hoorn are currently the only three central defenders at Swansea.
“We need another centre-back,” Guidolin had said ahead of Saturday’s Premier League game at Leicester.
“I am happy with the three centre-backs I have, but the season is very long so we need another one.”
