Highly rated Watret is on the radar of a number of clubs south of the border following his breakthrough season.
Watret, right, is a target for Barnsley
Barnsley are leading the race for Ayr starlet Dylan Watret.
The 18-year-old Academy graduate is on the radar of the Yorkshire club.
Colliers boss Conor Hourihane is looking to take the United full back south.
A potential six figure deal has been discussed with the League One outfit, the Ayrshire Post understands.
Ayr are keen to explore a number of options on their prized asset, which could include a loan back to Somerset Park.
A string of clubs south of the border are tracking Watret following his breakthrough season. The teenager featured 32 times for Scott Brown’s side last term.
Manchester City and Nottingham Forest are among those to have run the rule over Watret. Championship side Millwall have also declared an interest.
Scott Brown and Ayr are keen not to lose Watret on the cheap
But it’s Barnsley who have jumped to the head of the queue after showing a solid hand this summer.
Watret is currently tied to a long term deal at Ayr which runs until the summer of 2028.
And Somerset chiefs are keen not to sell on the cheap, with Watret having 41 appearances under his belt already.
Watret, who has been at Ayr since the age of nine, rose through their youth setup and made his first team debut under Lee Bullen aged just 16.