BARNSLEY are hopeful that they will start to bring in some new players around the same time as the squad returns for pre-season later this month.

The Reds – who are due to start pre-season a week on Monday – are expected to sell players this summer as they are due to lose up to £10million in the next year but, as of this week, there were not thought to have been offers for any of their first team stars.

Davis Keillor-Dunn, last season’s star player and top-scorer, is understood to be of some interest to various clubs but it is unclear whether any will match Barnsley’s multi-million valuation.

Midfielder Jon Russell could attract interest if he continues his impressive goal-scoring form with Jamaica who are about to play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

At least one sale may be needed to allow Barnsley to sign players from other clubs for transfer fees this summer – with some of the cash generated by outgoings being used to replace them – but the Reds are hopeful of bringing in free agents earlier in the window.

The Chronicle understands they have been in advanced talks with several free agents and are hoping for positive news in the next few weeks once pre-seasons start around the country.

They are reportedly one of several clubs looking at centre-back Paudie O’Connor who is out of contract after leaving Lincoln City.

They have also been linked with a move for Crystal Palace goalkeeper Owen Goodman, 21, who helped loan club AFC Wimbledon to promotion from League Two last season.

He is thought to be one of several stoppers the Reds are monitoring, although youngster Kieran Flavell remains highly-rated.

Head coach Conor Hourihane is thought to be playing an integral role in recruitment, alongside sporting director Mladen Sormaz.

They are looking to strengthen in most positions if possible, with Hourihane previously saying he wanted to ‘reset’ the squad.

There are still in discussions with out-of-contract Stephen Humphrys.

The winger netted nine goals for the Reds last season, including five in his last five games.

The transfer window is currently closed, from Tuesday of this week until Monday having been open since June 1.

That is reportedly because windows cannot be open for more than 89 days while the EFL and Premier League have looked to accommodate the Club World Cup which starts this weekend.

The window will then reopen until Monday, September 1.

The majority of League One clubs have now made at least one signing this summer while the new season is due to start in six weeks.

It is the halfway point in the gap between League One seasons.

Barnsley’s players have been off for six weeks since a 4-2 win at Reading completed their 2024/25 campaign in which they finished 12th in League One.

They have been required by Hourihane to return for four ‘check-in days’ during the off-season while the first day of full pre-season is June 23.

The Reds are then due to play at least five pre-season friendlies before their competitive campaign begins on the weekend of August 1-3.

The fixtures are due to be revealed on June 26.

Meanwhile, Connor Barratt looks set to be the next young player to sign a long-term deal with Barnsley.

A deal is understood to be close for the Republic of Ireland under 21s defender to pen a two-year contract with an option for a further year.

The 21-year-old joined from Sheffield United last summer and played five first team games in the league towards the end of the 2024/25 season under Hourihane.

He looks likely to join Flavell and Jonathan Bland in signing new deals, all having been backed by the head coach to play for the first team.