BARNSLEY are understood to be generally pleased with their summer transfer window overall even though a deal to bring in former player John McAtee fell through before Monday’s deadline.
Forward McAtee was keen to move on loan from Bolton Wanderers to the Reds, the Chronicle understands, and the vast majority of the deal had been agreed but the two clubs could not come to a final agreement.
He had scored 15 goals on loan to the Reds from Luton Town two seasons ago before moving to Bolton for a reported £1million last year and struggling to find the same form, not featuring in recent league games despite scoring a late leveller at Oakwell last month.
He is thought to have been one of several forward options the Reds explored as they attempted to bolster the depth in that department but he was the closest to joining.
They now have only two senior strikers in Davis Keillor-Dunn and David McGoldrick, with 19-year-old Leo Farell the next in line having never played a senior league game.
They are thought to have kept an eye on the free agent market, as they are still able to bring in unattached players, but, as of earlier this week, it was understood to be more likely that they will keep the same squad until the January transfer window.
While they did not get the forward they wanted, Barnsley did sign defender Jake Rooney on loan for the season from Derby County – taking their tally of incomings to eight for the window.
They have also kept all of their first team players, with bids for some of them but none which hit the club’s valuations for the likes of top-scorer Davis Keillor-Dunn, captain Luca Connell and star midfielder Adam Phillips.
Despite reports of a bid for Phillips from League One rivals Luton Town, there are thought to have been no significant attempts to sign any of them late in the window.
All of them will now remain with the Reds who are currently fourth in League One after six games, with their next fixture at home to Reading on September 13.
Barnsley could still move on fringe or development players.
Kelechi Nwakali is not in head coach Conor Hourihane’s plans and the Reds are trying to move him on either on loan or permanently.
Several international windows are still open so he is likely to leave for an overseas club.
The National League window is also still open so Barnsley could loan out young players for experience.
One of the back-up goalkeepers Kieren Flavell – who has been on the bench all season – and Jackson Smith, who has not been in any matchday squads and had a trial at Forest Green Rovers last month, may be loaned out.
The same is true of Connor Barratt who has slipped down the pecking order of centre-backs following the signing of Rooney.
The 21-year-old, who has been on standby for Republic of Ireland under 21s this week, came off the bench on the opening day of the league season and has started two EFL Cup ties since.
He is thought to be a candidate for a loan to the National League later this season to gain more experience.
