Alex Mowatt happy to play waiting game at Barnsley

The Reds captain is out of contract in June and has so far elected not to commit his future despite offers from Barnsley.

Doncaster-based Mowatt was also eager not to leave in the window, while he considers his long-term future, which he wants to be in the north.

Reds CEO Murphy said: “We have been in consistent conversations with Alex and his representative. They have been positive, but we have not got anything across the line.

“Alex made it clear that he did not want to leave in this window. He has just bought a house in this area and wants to be up north.

“It is a very important next step for Alex in his career and where he is in life. There are a lot of variables that play into it and it is not just financial.

“He’d like to see how the second half of the season goes with Barnsley, which steps we are making to take the next step and how he can be a part of that.

“He knows as the captain and focal point of the team, he is in a great position. But he also needs to evaluate how things may look in the future. I understand that.

“The club and I believe we have offered him a great contract in this window, further to the ones we have in the past. He considered it and is passing on it for now and wants to evaluate the situation as it goes.

“Whether he accepts that or there is some malleability in it, we can figure out what is best for him.”

Daryl Dyke says he is ‘super happy’ to have joined the club and his whirlwind week could end with a debut in Saturday’s home game with Derby County.

The Orlando City forward has joined the Reds on loan for the rest of the season.

He said: “My agent brought up the idea and I was super-happy. When you are young in America, all you see is English football every day and you wake up on Saturday and Sunday morning and it is on TV. It is your DNA and you dream about playing here.”

On his chances of Dike making his debut, head coach Valerien Ismael said: “He needed a negative (Covid) result to come to England and got one and has had another test and I think everything is clear on this.

“We have to wait for the result from the squad, but if everything goes alright, he can be available.”

Ismael also confirmed that the club turned down a bid for one of their leading players just before the transfer window deadline.

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