Barnsley manager Keith Hill has denied reports that he has made a second attempt to sign Bristol Rovers winger Mustapha Carayol.
The Reds boss admitted the club tried and came “very very close” to signing the 22 year old in January but after that deal failed to materialise he has opted to look at other options.
Hill told the Barnsley Chronicle:
"We were interested in Mustapha Carayol but we have not made an approach since the season finished."
"We tried to jump the queue and sign him in January because that is what we have to do to get the best players.
"We were very, very close to signing him but could not quite agree a deal and I don't think we can get him now.
"He is destined to be playing at the top of the Championship in the near future. We won't be able to compete with the other clubs that want him."
Meanwhile a winger already at Oakwell, Jim O’Brien has revealed he is very close to agreeing a new contract with the club. The 24 year old who was signed from Motherwell in 2010 was offered a new two year deal at the end of the season and told the Star just a few loose ends are left to tie up.
“As far as I know I’ll be at Barnsley next season, we’re close to getting a deal signed.”
“I enjoy playing for the club and feel settled there now, I really enjoyed last season. I’m weighing up my options but I’d like to stay. We just need to sort a few things with my contract, but we’re nearly there.”
Striker Andy Gray has though finalised his departure after three years with the club.
The 34 year old who scored 21 times in 95 appearances, including eight in 33 in 2011-2012 was told by Hill that he was surplus to requirements for the next campaign and despite his contract not due to expire until July, the two parties have come to an agreement today to terminate the deal and allow the former Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United man to find a new club.
It has been reported that Gray was “surprised” to be told by Hill that he was not needed anymore after the manager had publicly intimated that Gray would be offered a new deal in March.
Source: FOOTYMAD
