‘ASSESS the window after it’s shut’ is the message from Darrell Clarke despite admitting it is ‘frustrating’ that Barnsley have not signed more players so far this summer.
The Reds will begin their League One season in a fortnight at home to Mansfield Town on August 9 after they play their last official friendlies today and on Wednesday.
The EFL summer transfer window is due to close in five weeks on Friday, August 30.
Barnsley have so far brought in midfielder Conor Hourihane – who is a player/coach – defender Marc Roberts, goalkeeper Jackson Smith and midfielder Matthew Craig, who joined on loan from Tottenham Hotspur this week.
They had hoped to have the majority of their squad in place before the training camp at Loughborough University which ends today, but are still looking to strengthen at left wing-back, up front and potentially with a winger and another goalkeeper.
Head coach Clarke told the Chronicle: “I would have wanted more by Loughborough, I won’t swerve that.
“But assess the window after it’s shut, that’s what I always say.
“We’re trying to get good players in and that takes time.
“There are always different variations of why things don’t happen as quickly.
“We will be patient, we will try to get these top players in and see where it ends up.”
He added: “It’s been a little bit frustrating but it is what it is.
“In my young inexperienced manager days, I would be panicky and edgy but I believe in what we’re doing.
“We will be strong when the window shuts. A lot is said about the recruitment at this club but I am confident about how it works.”
The Reds currently have no senior left wing-backs in the squad, other than Callum Styles who has played there but his future is uncertain. Birmingham City’s Emmanuel Longelo is thought to be one they are trying to bring in.
Clarke said: “We’re in for left wing-backs. There are top two targets we’re in for and we’re trying to get a deal over the line. I would be happy with either.
“There are a lot of things that go into the transfer. The fee agreed, agent fee, salary. The calls have been made, the meetings have taken place with me and the player, there are good connections there, then it’s a case of: can we get it over the line? Everyone is working hard to do that.”
Styles has joined up with the squad in Loughborough.
The Hungary international, who was given three extra weeks off following the group stage exit at the European Championships, is thought to have several clubs interested in him.
There is a year left on his contract which is understood to have a release clause in it for £2million.
Clarke said: “I had a really good chat with Stylesy. We are both on the same page and know what the plan is. As long as he comes in, knuckles down and gets on with his work, we will crack on. He will do that. He’s our player, it’s as simple as that. If that changes, we will see what happens. But he’s back from the Euros and had a good summer.”
Barnsley are also looking for strikers.
Their current options up front are Max Watters, who dropped out of the first team squad for the second half of last season, and Sam Cosgrove who netted three league goals then three in the play-offs, plus academy products Aiden Marsh and Fabio Jalo. They are interested in Mansfield’s Davis Keillor-Dunn.
Clarke said: “It’s up to me to get the best out of every player that we’ve got.
“Sometimes you have to make 20-goal men out of players in the building.
“That’s not going to stop us going out and getting a couple of centre forwards.
“We need four really good options at centre forward.
“Lads who were here last season have the opportunity to be part of that.
“To be successful you have to get 40-plus goals out of your centre forwards. I don’t care how that comes.”
The Reds have had striker Mipo Odubeko on trial, coming off the bench late on in the friendly at Accrington on Saturday and going to Loughborough with them.
The 21-year-old Irish striker is a free agent after spending last season with Portuguese club Maritimo. He had previously been at West Ham, without playing a league game, and loaned out to Huddersfield, Doncaster and Clarke’s Port Vale. He has scored six goals in 56 club appearances.
The Reds have so far loaned out Andy Dallas to Barrow for the season while his fellow striker Oli Shaw has left permanently for Hamilton Academical. Others could follow, potentially including centre-backs Kacper Lopata and Jack Shepherd on loan.
