This whole situation smacks of a charade on Barnsley's part. They don't have a lot of money, and they're being accused of a lack of ambition by some of their supporters. So they put in a bid for a few players, Greer amongst them. The bid is for a ridiculously low amount, but as it's not disclosed, nobody is any the wiser. The club who the player is currently with rejects the bid out of hand. Barnsley's chairman then announces that he's been in the market for several players, clearly demonstrating his ambition, but that the bids were unfortunately unsuccessful.
It's all about appeasing the fans. I doubt they ever really expect to get Greer, but they can go back and mug off their season ticket holders with the suggestion that it was only the Albion's ludicrously high valuation of the player that stopped him from signing for them. I
I get the feeling their chairman has been playing too much Football Manager.