IT HAS been another busy week in the transfer market for Barnsley but they are still hoping to make some more vital additions with the new season fast approaching.

There are now just three weeks until the Reds begin their campaign with an EFL Cup tie at home to Wigan Athletic on August 8, followed a week later by the League One opener at home to newcomers Bromley.

There are 45 days until the EFL summer transfer window closes on Monday, September 1.

This week, Barnsley brought in goalkeeper Cieran Slicker on loan from Ipswich Town for the season and permanently signed forward Amani Richards from Leicester City as well as right-back Tyrese Noslin from Dutch club Telstar then striker Makenzie Kirk on loan from Portsmouth for the season.

As of Thursday, there were not thought to be any other deals imminent but the Reds are keen to make further signings before the season starts.

Noslin is thought to qualify for a visa as he played in this summer’s World Cup for Curacao, which would mean the Reds have only used one of their two ‘Elite Significant Contribution’ slots on Australian Taylor and can still bring in another.

Last season’s captain Luca Connell has not been involved in either pre-season friendly so far, having agreed with the club to return slightly later than most of his team-mates this summer.

He is one of the players thought most likely to leave this window but Reds chief executive Jon Flatman has previously said that will only happen if the deal suits the Oakwell club financially.

Midfielder Connell, 25, has two years left on his contract including a club option and is currently the player who has been in the first team squad the longest and played the most games.

Fabio Jalo was also not involved in the first team friendlies, instead playing for the under 21s.

The 20-year-old winger has struggled for full fitness following a serious knee injury last year.

Winger Reyes Cleary and midfielder Patrick Kelly have both been fully involved in pre-season and, although they have admirers across the EFL, they each have three years on their deals including club options so the Reds are holding out for substantial multi-million pound fees.

Kirk’s arrival will add to a very shallow pool of strikers which includes academy product Leo Farrell, 20, who has never started for the club and new signing Richards, 21, who has played six senior games and can also be used on the wing.

Barnsley are thought to be keen to add at least one more experienced striker to their ranks.

As for centre-backs, the Reds currently have Josh Earl, Jack Shepherd, Mael de Gevigney, Kacper Lopata and new signing Isaac Smith, 20, who has never played a professional game.

Shepherd and Smith both missed Saturday’s friendly at York City with minor injuries while Mael de Gevigney’s future at the club is uncertain and he has barely featured in the pre-season games so far.

The Frenchman, 26, has been at Oakwell for three seasons and the Reds triggered an extension in his contract for another year earlier in the summer.

Lopata, 24, has been out on loan several times since signing in 2023 but started at York on Saturday.

Left-back is also a position the Reds could look to recruit in with Georgie Gent – who has barely featured for the first team in the last 16 months – the only natural senior option there, although Earl can also play in that role.

Barnsley are not thought to be considering bringing in another goalkeeper with Slicker currently supported by academy graduates Kieren Flavell and Rogan Ravenhill.

The Reds had previously brought in Cameron McGeehan, Clayton Taylor and Smith, plus under 21s defender Calum Hudson, while selling Adam Phillips and Jackson Smith and losing top-scorer David McGoldrick and Eoghan O’Connell who turned down new deals.