BARNSLEY were still looking for at least two attackers going into the final 24 hours of the transfer window after Sweden international striker Victor Edvardsen pulled out of a deal following a medical at Oakwell.
The EFL transfer window is due to shut today at 11pm.
Barnsley are understood to have submitted an increased bid for Mansfield Town’s Davis Keillor-Dunn, bringing them significantly closer to the Stags’ asking price of £750,000. It was unclear yesterday if Mansfield would accept.
Stoke City striker Niall Ennis is thought to be a player the Reds are interested in but the Potters would have to bring other players in to let the former Plymouth and Blackburn man go.
There was interest in West Bromwich Albion striker Mo Faal earlier in the month – although not a direct swap with Callum Styles as such deals are not allowed – but it is understood to have cooled as a price could not be agreed.
They have also been chasing Luton Town striker Joe Taylor, who impressed on loan to Lincoln last season, but it is now a long shot with many others interested while he could stay with the Hatters after playing for them in the Championship this week.
Barnsley are also in advanced talks with players whose names have not been made public yet, although there is work yet to do on the deals.
The Reds have mainly been starting Max Watters, who netted in both games this week, alongside Sam Cosgrove with youngster Aiden Marsh on the bench and no other fit senior strikers.
They will not be joined by Edvardsen who was pictured doing his medical at Oakwell on Wednesday after a season-long loan from Go Ahead Eagles in the Netherlands was agreed with a view to a permanent deal.
Head coach Darrell Clarke told the Chronicle: “It happens in football.
“I have been consistent in saying that, until a piece of paper is signed and approved by the FA, we don’t get too excited. This is why. On social media, a lot gets out there and we have to explain. It was nothing from our end.
“I am not going to sit in my office and cry all day. We have to crack on.”
He added: “It’s disappointing. He’s had a change of mind through personal circumstances. Once I get my head around it, the fact of the matter is I want players who want to be at the football club.
“I would rather find that out before he signs than after. It’s disappointing for all involved but I am sure our fans will agree we want players who are committed 100 per cent.
“We move on quickly and we have 48 hours to get the right players in.”
On the striker search in general, Clarke told the Chronicle: “We did a fair bit of business in the early part of the window. We are hoping to get the right players in at the top end of the pitch.
“The work continues. We only have a day to wait then we can have a proper assessment of the window and then, for me and my staff, it’s a case of getting this group of players better.”
Another position the Reds have considered this window is left wing-back.
Clarke said: “I have got Georgie Gent, Josh Earl and Corey O’Keeffe can play there. I’ve got options. I will look at other formations as well. It’s just getting the right options to be adaptable.
“We want to have as many pieces of the jigsaw as possible by the end of the window.”
The Reds have been outwardly confident all summer of keeping their star players such as Adam Phillips and Luca Connell, with sporting director Mladen Sormaz saying only ‘silly’ bids would tempt them.
Clarke said last week to ‘expect the unexpected’ but this week stressed he ‘doesn’t foresee’ anyone leaving.
Barnsley could loan out some of their fringe players.
Defender Kacper Lopata moved to Scottish top flight club Ross County yesterday, for the season, while goalkeeper Jackson Smith is another one likely to be loaned. Depending on who they bring in, striker Marsh could also go out for experience, while midfielder Josh Benson is another who could be loaned.
“One or two will be loaned out for some experience.
“In a few areas, we are a bit overloaded. We want players to keep themselves competitive to get back into our team when they do come back.”
Styles finally left Barnsley permanently on Saturday, moving to West Bromwich Albion for an undisclosed fee.
The Hungary international made 151 appearances after signing in 2018 but had not played yet this season due to the impending move. The fee is thought to be short of the £2million release clause in Styles’ contract which was due to expire next summer.
Clarke told the Chronicle: “It’s a situation that’s been going on for two or three years which has been unsettling for the club and player.
“I can only talk about how he was with me and he was honest and professional.
“I wish him the best and we move on.”
Barnsley are due to travel down to Sussex today ahead of their game at Crawley Town tomorrow.
“I am capable of taping my phone to my face while training,” Clarke joked.
“It will be a lot of work and phonecalls but it’s been like that all window to be honest. It’s a crazy world at times but we get on with it.”
Barnsley have been drawn at Manchester United in the EFL Cup third around, which is expected to net the club a substantial windfall.
Clarke said: “I don’t think it will change too much with the business we’re trying to do.
“We can’t bank money we think we might be getting.
“We welcome the tie and hopefully the club do well from it but I can’t see it changing much.”
