DARRELL Clarke admits the summer transfer window has been ‘a slower process than we would probably have liked’ but Barnsley remain hopeful that new faces will join them on their training camp next week.
There are now three weeks left until the Reds kick off their new League One season at home to Mansfield Town on August 9, and a further three until the EFL summer transfer window closes on August 30. They have so far brought back Conor Hourihane and Marc Roberts for a second spell and signed goalkeeper Jackson Smith last week.
They were aiming to have some new additions before their training camp at Loughborough University next week, with head coach Clarke saying on Saturday it was the ‘hope and the plan’ to bring players in this week.
That may still happen, with a deal for a midfielder thought to be close as of Thursday afternoon. Others could then link up with the squad in Loughborough next week. The Reds are trying to bring in at least one more left wing-back, midfielder and striker.
Birmingham City left wing-back Emmanuel Longelo is thought to be a player they are trying to bring in.
The Reds are also linked with Mansfield Town’s midfielder Davis Keillor-Dunn who scored 22 goals and added ten assists as they were promoted from League Two last season.
The 26-year-old has a year remaining on his contract with the Stags.
The Reds are understood to be interested in him but he is not thought to be the player close to joining this week.
Clarke admits that the summer has been difficult at times as the Reds missed out on some targets.
Clarke told the Chronicle: “Sometimes you miss top targets because we’re looking at good players who we have actually missed out to a few Championship clubs for. Then you go onto another top target.
“The players we’re after will always have other clubs after them as well. It’s been a slower process than we would have probably liked but we’re working very, very hard to make sure we get the right players and the right fit.”
He added: “We know the areas we need to improve on. We’re working very hard to do that.
“It’s very difficult. I am sure the fans don’t want to hear that. But it is.”
Meanwhile, Callum Styles is due to speak to Clarke in the coming week about his future.
The 24-year-old was given extra time off after playing for Hungary in the European Championships last month.
He has one year remaining on his contract and several clubs are thought to be interested in him, reportedly including the Reds’ League One rivals Birmingham City.
There is understood to be a release clause of around £2million in his contract but it is unclear if the Reds would accept lower bids to bring in some funds and get Styles off the wagebill.
Styles has played 151 games for Barnsley across six seasons but, in each of the last two, was loaned out to a Championship club after starting in the Reds team.
Clarke told the Chronicle: “Stylesy has had an extended break.
“He will do some work by himself this week then he will be back in. I need to sit down with him and see what the plan is moving forward. We need to sit down face to face get his thoughts and my thoughts, then see if they align.”
Barnsley have loaned Andy Dallas to Barrow and let Oli Shaw leave permanently for Hamilton Academical.
Shaw’s move has not been officially announced but he is a Hamilton player.
Others are likely to depart in the coming weeks as the squad takes shape.
The Reds are determined to keep all their first team players, only accepting ‘silly money’ for the likes of Adam Phillips and Luca Connell.
This week the Reds signed two players for their under 21s squad.
They are midfielder Callum West, 18, who was previously at Macclesfield and Burnley, as well as former Birmingham and Sheffield United defender Connor Barratt, 20, who played in the friendly at Alfreton on Saturday.
The club also confirmed that Leo Farrell, Ziggy Kozluk, Bayley McCann, Emmaisa Nzondo and Rogan Ravenhill have all signed professional contracts.
