DANIEL Stendel completed his flying visit to Barnsley over the long weekend during which he discussed the future of in-demand striker David McGoldrick.
Stendel – who was re-appointed as Barnsley boss earlier this month after winning promotion with them in 2019 – was in the UK for a brief visit late last week and over the Bank Holiday weekend.
He spent time at Oakwell, meeting staff and planning for the upcoming season with topics believed to have included discussions with out-of-contract players like McGoldrick and Eoghan O’Connell who the Reds are looking to keep.
Stendel was expected to attend some of the EFL play-off finals at Wembley over the weekend with Barnsley chief executive Jon Flatman – as they plan a way for the Reds to compete for the League One play-offs having finished 12th then 15th in the previous two campaigns.
This is often the period in a summer when there is a lull in transfer news, with coaches and players usually on holiday while agents assess the options for their clients.
McGoldrick, who was Barnsley’s 18-goal top-scorer last season and Player of the Year, does not have an agent so has been in direct communication with Flatman.
He is thought to like the idea of a return to Oakwell, where he is adored by fans and is close to his family home, but also has interest from other clubs in the UK and overseas.
Reports have claimed that Mansfield Town are hoping to sign him with a larger financial offer than Barnsley.
The Reds will need to bring in several strikers this summer as the only one currently contracted is 20-year-old academy graduate Leo Farrell who has never started an EFL game.
They are also thought to be on the look-out for at least one winger, centre-back and full-backs while the goalkeeper situation is unclear after Jackson Smith excelled on loan at Grimsby Town having been third choice at Oakwell.
Bids are expected for star winger Reyes Cleary, who scored seven goals last season and assisted 15 others.
There is also thought to be interest in the midfield trio of Patrick Kelly, captain Luca Connell and Adam Phillips who has one year remaining on his contract. Connell has been linked again this week with a move to fellow League One club Luton Town who he nearly joined in January.
Meanwhile, Stendel may look to resurrect the career of Kelechi Nwakali according to reports in Africa.
The Nigeria international midfielder, who has a year left on his contract, was frozen out last season by Conor Hourihane until the final four matches when he came off the bench as the head coach was about to leave.
Stendel is set to return to Barnsley to work full-time in June with the players following him a few weeks later.
The fixtures for the 2026/27 season are out on June 25 with campaign kicking off with an EFL Cup tie on August 8 then the league campaign a week later.
The transfer window opens on June 15.
