Barnsley FC closing in on 'two or three' targets says Gerhard Struber

BARNSLEY head coach Gerhard Struber says that the club are 'close' regarding their pursuit of 'two or three' new signings.

The Reds chief is keen to add to his numbers ahead of the transfer deadline, while also understandably keen not to lose any more key players following the recent departure of Jacob Brown to Stoke City.

Struber has stressed that, as far as he is concerned, it is 'not an option' to sell another of their main players.

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On the incoming front, Barnsley continue to be strongly linked with a move for Dinamo Zagreb forward Sandro Kulenovic and while Struber says that the is 'an interesting player', the Reds have other options as well.

Barnsley FC head coach Gerhard Struber. Picture: Tony Johnson.Barnsley FC head coach Gerhard Struber. Picture: Tony Johnson.
Barnsley FC head coach Gerhard Struber. Picture: Tony Johnson.

Struber, speaking ahead of the weekend trip to Reading, said: "We are looking for more positions, bit have no stress.

"We have two or three players who we are close to and we will hopefully make a decision in the next few days hopefully or towards the end of the transfer window. It is important, but we are in a good way at the moment."

On Kulenovic, he added: "This is one of the options and he is an interesting player and we will see in the next few days - if we find another option or take a decision with Kulenovic, I think.

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"This is a good one, but many players understand the advantage of when they make an agreement with Barnsley. This is also good for us.

"At the moment, we are in an exchange for new players and are close.

"But it is not the situation where we make stress. I will take the right player and not go into action with 90 per cent for a decision. I need 100 per cent for a decision and we (will) wait for that."

On the incoming of retaining players, the Austrian added: "This is also a topic as players who are interesting for other clubs. So it is also important we save the players here and it is a challenge. For me it is not an option to sell another player."

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Doncaster Rovers captain Ben Whiteman is a player who has been on the radar for the club for a number of weeks, but Barnsley have seen several bids rejected.

While Whiteman remains a player who Barnsley like, Struber has seemed to pour cold water on any chance of a successful move after claiming that he sees the 24-year-old as a 'development' player at Championship level.

Struber continued: "I think Ben is also an option and an interesting player. But we search for a player who can help us from the first second. He is a player more for development and bringing him in a good shape for the future.

"Now it is important to sign players for now and players who are ready in the first game.

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Meanwhile, Struber has stressed that he and his players had no contact with Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock - who has tested positive for Covid-19 - before or after Tuesday''s Carabao Cup tie at the Riverside Stadium.

As far as he is aware, none of his staff did either.

Warnock is thought to have watched the game in the West Stand with his assistant Kevin Blackwell and first-team coach Ronnie Jepson in charge of the team.

Struber said: "Everyone feels fine and there are no symptoms in the staff or whole squad. This is a good situation right now and also in the next few days, we have the same situation.

"We (players) had no contact with him and I had no contact with him. I din't see anyone from my staff in contact with him, but I am not 100 per cent."

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Barnsley continue to follow EFL protocol regarding testing. Players and staff are due to be tested on Sunday morning.

Struber has confirmed that Clarke Oduor and Elliot Simoes will miss Saturday's game at the Madejski Stadium through injury.

Ben Williams is a long-term absentee.

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