Barnsley FC CEO Dane Murphy on future of Alex Mowatt

BARNSLEY chief executive Dane Murphy remains positive about the prospects of a successful conclusion regarding contract talks with captain Alex Mowatt.
Alex Mowatt with his Sky Bet Championship goal of the month award for October.Alex Mowatt with his Sky Bet Championship goal of the month award for October.
Alex Mowatt with his Sky Bet Championship goal of the month award for October.

The key midfielder's current deal expires next summer and talks so far have failed to achieve a breakthrough.

But Murphy remains optimistic.

He commented: "The conversations are ongoing. He has made it known he wants to stay and we have made it known we want him to stay. It is just getting to that line and we are continuing to work on it.

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"Both sides have an idea of what can get done and is so important to them. He is such a vital piece of what we are trying to do.

"Not only as a captain, leader of the group and his ability, but if we are going to continue this model of trying to build players and do the best we can with our core group, it only makes sense to keep Alex Mowatt.

"There is not a massive (current) detail update on Alex. But Alex and Alex's agent are so easy to work and deal with in trying to find a solution."

Speaking about his future in the club's matchday programme ahead of last week's home game with Nottingham Forest, Mowatt said: "I would like it to happen.

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"I'm captain of the club, play week in, week out. I really enjoy my football at Barnsley. I have a good rapport with the fans and I live just twenty minutes down the road.

"So of course, I'd be happy to be here next season."

Meanwhile, Murphy has stressed that bringing in another striker to help compliment Cauley Woodrow remains a priority in the January window.

But he has hinted that bringing in another forward signing option to add to the club's options as opposed to a frontline striker to play directly alongside him is the most likely route.

He said: "There has been a lot in the media and from supporters about getting a striker. But I think we have one of the best in the league in Cauley. When he is fit, fully healthy and scoring goals, he changes the dynamic of our team.

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"He is extremely hard to play against and we were very happy we were able to extend his contract and keep him here because a lot of teams want Cauley and are interested in him.

"Of course, he needs support and we need to strengthen our attack. The best clubs in this league have four, five or six guys who score goals and we need to make sure we are dynamic in our attack.

"We want to strengthen there, of course. But we don't have to go get some 'home-run' hitter who can score 20 to 25 goals. Everyone would love that, but we have Cauley.

"You would be hard pressed to argue against me that he is one of the best in the league."

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