BARNSLEY are still waiting to make their first addition purely to the playing squad of the summer transfer window, with no activity expected until next week at the earliest.
The Reds are due to return to pre-season training in just over two weeks on July 1, working under new head coach Darrell Clarke who was appointed last month.
They made their first new signing of the summer last week, bringing back former captain and midfielder Conor Hourihane in a player/coach role.
The EFL summer transfer window officially opens today, then closes on August 30.
Mladen Sormaz, the sporting director, told the Chronicle earlier this summer that, as well as a midfielder, they were looking to sign a goalkeeper, left wing-back and striker as the main priorities.
The are thought to be working down their list of targets in each position with the hope of having at least some signed before pre-season training starts.
The Reds are determined to keep hold of their star players this summer such as midfielders Luca Connell and Adam Phillips as well as teen striker Fabio Jalo. They are all contracted until at least 2027.
Connell and Jalo are under contract until 2027 and Phillips 2026 with the club having an option to add a further year to each of the deals.
The Reds have offered a new contract to midfielder Matty Wolfe, who has been recovering for 17 months from a serious knee injury sustained in January of last year. Wolfe, who turned 24 this week, is thought to be likely to agree to a short-term deal and is expected to return for pre-season training, although he may take time to get up to full match fitness.
They are not thought to be pursuing a permanent move for last season’s loanee Conor Grant from MK Dons.
The midfielder started just two games after joining in January but impressed in the play-offs with two assists.
A series of other under 21s and under 18s players have been offered new deals or had an option for an extra year in their contract triggered.
The new season is due to start on the weekend of August 9-11, with the fixtures released on June 26.
The Reds are due to visit League One Accrington Stanley on July 20 for Sean McConville’s testimonial.
They are expected to play several other friendlies including on a training camp in England.
It has been more than seven weeks since the Reds sacked Neill Collins with one game left. Martin Devaney – who has now been made assistant to Clarke – oversaw the play-off semi-final loss to Bolton Wanderers.
The Reds released their four top appearance-makers from last season in Jordan Williams, Herbie Kane, Devante Cole and Nicky Cadden. As of yesterday, none of them had signed elsewhere.
