Barnsley are actively targeting Premier League side, Crystal Palace‘s goalkeeper Owen Goodman as a potential replacement for Murphy Cooper. Cooper’s loan from QPR has been terminated early.
Local reporting indicates that Goodman is one of the leading candidates to arrive at Oakwell as the club moves quickly to secure a new first‑choice option.
The club ended Murphy Cooper’s loan spell, announced 19:00 on the 14/01/2026, after mixed performances and the club recording the fewest clean sheets in the EFL.
With Cooper returning to QPR, the Reds are expected to bring in a new goalkeeper “within 24 hours,” according to the Barnsley Chronicle.
Crystal Palace’s Owen Goodman, who spent the first half of the season on loan at Huddersfield Town, has been directly linked with Barnsley as the club searches for a more stable, long‑term option between the posts.
A separate report notes that The Reds have been “fighting” rivals Bolton Wanderers and AFC Wimbledon for Goodman’s signature, highlighting how highly rated he is across League One.
| Metric | Murphy Cooper | Owen Goodman |
| League One Appearances | 14 | 10 |
| Goals Conceded | 18 | 11 |
| Clean Sheets | 3 | 4 |
| Goals Per 90′ | 1.28 | 1.10 |
| Clean Sheet % | 21% | 40% |
Owen Goodman has faced more shots on target per match this season and still maintained a higher save volume, averaging 3.1 saves per game compared to Murphy Cooper’s 2.4.
Goodman has also recorded more successful high claims and double the number of punches, showing greater command of his penalty area than Cooper.
Barnsley fans can expect a very different type of goalkeeper if the club completes the move for Owen Goodman.
He’s a far more proactive, front‑foot keeper than Murphy Cooper, and that shift alone will change how the team defends.
Goodman is known for commanding his box, coming for crosses, and relieving pressure with high claims; something The Tykes have lacked this season.
He also produces more saves per match, handles a higher shot volume, and generally offers a steadier presence in one‑on‑one situations.
His experience at Huddersfield also shows he can stay composed behind a struggling defence, which is exactly the environment he’d be stepping into at Oakwell for the remainder of the 2025/26 season.
