BARNSLEY have been monitoring Portuguese left wing-back Kiki Afonso but he is not currently close to joining the club, the Chronicle understands.
The 27-year-old has been linked with the Reds in Portuguese media and he is someone they have looked at.
He is considered to suit their requirements for a position in which they have very few players.
But, as of yesterday, the deal was not thought to be close and they are also looking at other options.
Afonso has a year remaining on his contract with Portuguese top flight club Vizela, so the Reds may have to pay a fee for the first time this summer having so far made four free transfers.
Barnsley have generally stayed away from foreign signings since the UK left the EU. But Afonso has previously been in this country with Dagenham and Redbridge in 2013 while his experience in the top flight in Portugal and a cap for his nation’s under 20s are likely to help him in the points-based visa system.
Afonso did not play for Dagenham during a brief spell as a teenager in 2013, having been in the youth sytems of Porto and Rio Ave.
He went on to play for Portuguese second tier clubs Atletico, Gil Vicente and Olhanense.
He then spent two seasons at top flight clubs Feirense and Belenenses but made just six appearances.
He joined Vizela in 2019 and helped them to promotion to the top flight last year, before playing 25 games last season.
The only players in the current senior squad at Oakwell who play at left wing-back have been converted from other positions.
Clarke Oduor played there in Saturday’s friendly at Worksop, but is naturally a midfielder, while Charlie Winfield is a left-back but is expected to miss several months through injury.
Callum Styles, who previously impressed at left wing-back having been converted from midfield, is expected to be sold this summer.
