BARNSLEY captain Luca Connell returned to training for the first time this summer amid speculation over his future at Oakwell while Fabio Jalo has been training with the under-21s for ‘fitness’.
The 25-year-old captain still has two years left on his contract but has been the subject of speculation around a move away from the club for the last year.
He had not been involved in the pre-season games against Matlock and York City, having agreed with the club to return slightly later than most of his team-mates this summer.
And despite being one of the players thought most likely to leave during this window, he returned to Oakwell this week to train for the first time under head coach Daniel Stendel.
He has been linked with moves to fellow League One clubs Luton Town and Wycombe Wanderers but Reds chief executive Jon Flatman has previously said that the move would only happen if the deal suits Barnsley financially.
The Reds are due to start the campaign against Wigan Athletic in the first round of the EFL Cup on Saturday, August 8 at Oakwell before hosting newly-promoted Bromley a week later in League One.
There are just 38 days until the EFL summer transfer window closes on Monday, September 1.
It has been a busy window so far for Stendel’s side having brought in eight players.
Last 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.
The Reds had previously brought in Cameron McGeehan, Clayton Taylor and Isaac 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.
This week they have been linked with Manchester United youngster Jack Moorhouse.
The Chronicle understands this is not a deal the club are currently working on.
The Reds conceded 99 goals in all competitions in the 2025/26 campaign, 73 in League One which was the second most and kept only five clean sheets including a club record 26 games without one.
They have lost O’Connell and Marc Roberts from last season and now currently have Josh Earl, Jack Shepherd, Mael de Gevigney, Kacper Lopata and new signing Smith, 20, who has never played a professional game.
They Chronicle understands that Barnsley are thought to be keen to strengthen the position, as well as wanting to add at least one more experienced striker to their ranks for a frontline which is lacking goals and experience.
Meanwhile, Portuguese forward Jalo has been playing for Barnsley under-21s alongside fellow first-teamer Kieren Flavell in recent weeks.
He has struggled for full fitness following a serious knee injury last year and only played twice when out on loan at League Two Oldham Athletic in the second half of last season.
He played the full 90 minutes in a 2-0 win for a Barnsley XI against Penistone Church on Wednesday.
Jalo is thought to only be training with the under-21s for match fitness and could come back into the first team frame in the near future.
