Barnsley go into the last seven days of the January transfer window with Callum Styles' future in doubt and hopes to bring in new signings.
The window is due to shut on Thursday at 11pm, with the Reds so far signing centre-back Donovan Pines while loaning out several players.
Styles was understood to be on the brink of a loan move to Championship Sunderland, so was left out of the squad for Tuesday’s win at Oxford United. But the Northern Echo reported last night the move is 'unlikely' with apparent issues over the structure of the deal which was thought to be a loan with an option to buy.
The Hungary international is thought to be keen to move to a higher level and increase his chances of playing at this year’s European Championships.
Styles has been an option at both left wing-back and central midfield this season and Barnsley are understood to be looking to recruit another player in each of those positions this window.
Barnsley are understood to have been in negotiations over a move for at least one player this week but no deal had been concluded as of yesterday.
Asked about bringing in a new left wing-back and midfielder, head coach Neill Collins told the Chronicle: “If that happens (Styles leaving), it could be the case that we look at those positions.
“But we have people to come back in to midfield like Josh Benson.”
Chairman Neerav Parekh told the Chronicle earlier in the week: “We’re still working on deals but January is notoriously hard – it’s more expensive than usual and it’s hard to get deals over the line.
“It depends on the clubs and players and our budget because we do need to make sure we can go into the summer to recruit as well. We can’t just bet everything on January.
“There are no guarantees we will get the deals done but we are trying hard to bolster the squad.”
The Reds are determined to hold onto their star players, including top-scorer Devante Cole who is out of contract in the summer.
Parekh said: “There have been no bids that we would accept.
“The players who are out of contract at the end of the season, I expect them to stay. You can never say never and the last week of the transfer window is always madness. But, at this point, none of the bids would tempt us.
“It feels extremely unlikely that we will sell any of those players.
“We know how important they are for our promotion push so the price we would ask for would be above market rate. If a club offers what we ask for, then we have a decision to make.
“We have replacements in mind if that happens but it takes a long time to get a transfer done so there is a cut-off point towards the end of the window beyond which it wouldn’t make sense to sell.”
Asked if he was confident Styles would be the only first team player to leave this window, if he leaves, Collins told the Chronicle: “It’s too hard to say. I have learned my lesson from the last window.
“The owners have been quite clear.
“If anyone leaves it will be for the best of ourselves and the player.
“I feel quite confident we will be stronger at the end of the window.”
The Reds are hoping to move on striker Aaron Leya Iseka, one of the highest-paid players at the club who has not played since the start of last season.
He is thought to be close to a move to Greek top flight club OFI Crete but, as of yesterday afternoon, it was not completed.
Andy Dallas was recalled from his loan at Kilmarnock and sent out to non-league Oldham Athletic for the rest of the season.
Striker Dallas had not started or scored for Killie, making 15 substitute appearances for the Scottish top flight club.
He had played five times for the Reds after signing last summer so could only be loaned to a non-league club under the rules.
Oli Shaw’s loan at Motherwell also ended. The striker had not scored in two starts and 14 substitute appearances for the SPL club, taking his goalless run to 36 games although most have been short cameos off the bench.
The 25-year-old played eight times for the Reds after signing a year ago from Kilmarnock, including four in the opening weeks of this season.
He sustained a hamstring injury recently.
Collins said: “He’s injured. He’ll be out for the foreseeable future.
“Once he’s back fit, like with anyone in the building, we will train professionally and pick the best person for the team.
“There are a lot of guys waiting patiently ahead of Oli at the moment and we have a lot of options up front.
“But football is funny and things can change.”
Owen Dodgson, who Collins had said could return after being recalled from a loan by Burnley on New Year’s Day, has been loaned to Dundee.
Young midfielder Joe Ackroyd has been loaned to non-league Buxton.
