Stockport County are in a battle to sign Ossama Ashley, a free agent midfielder who impressed in League Two with Salford City. The 26-year-old's contract has expired, making him available on a free transfer. Ashley's performances have caught the attention of League One teams, with Stockport and Barnsley set to compete for his signature. The former Colchester United man ended the 2024-25 campaign with an impressive 71 interceptions, the highest tally of any player in the fourth tier that year. Stockport will be looking to strengthen their squad after losing the play-off final, while Barnsley aim to build on their 15th-place finish from last season. Ossama Ashley has been one of the standout midfielders in League Two, having previously made a name for himself during his time at Colchester. His form during his debut campaign in League Two prompted Salford to pay an undisclosed fee to sign him back in 2023, and he has since gone from strength to strength in their colors. And with interest growing in his services, Ashley is now set to be presented with the chance to step up a division. But Stockport could face a challenge in signing him, as they are also at risk of losing key star Jack Diamond to the Championship. Diamond is about to enter the final 12 months of his contract at Edgeley Park, giving Portsmouth and Lincoln City hope of agreeing a cut-price deal. The wideman has been an influential figure for Stockport since joining back in 2024, but could now be set to return to the second tier for the first time since 2022. So the club will be keen to secure Ashley's signature to bolster their midfield options. Ashley was limited to just eight starts in the league for Salford in 2025-26, but previously starred for them in recent years. He has never played League One football before in his career, but now has the chance to make the step up with Stockport or Barnsley. The transfer window is set to be an exciting one for Stockport County, with the club looking to build on their recent success and push for promotion again.