After signing a striker and a midfielder, Keith Hill is now looking to add a defender to the Barnsley squad.  Several sources have named Bournemouth‘s 6ft 2″ defender Jason Pearce as just the man, however the Reds face competition from a number of clubs including Ipswich, Burnley and newly-promoted Peterborough.

Despite being only 23, Pearce has played 137 league games for Bournemouth scoring six goals, last season he helped his club achieve a very respectable 6th place (and play-off spot).  It is understood that Bournemouth are looking for a fee in the region of £750,000 for the player which could prove to be a difficulty for Barnsley as spending a large chunk of the budget on one player may not be the right move for a side which needs to be strengthened in several other areas as well.

It now seems not a question if Jason Shackell will leave Barnsley, but who he will go to with a number of other clubs apparently declaring their interest.  A bid of £700,000 from Derby County has already been rejected by the Oakwell board who are believed to value Shackell, who still has two years left on his current Barnsley deal, at closer to £1.5m.

Pearce in action for Bournemouth

Should Shackell move on, that would leave former captain Steve Foster as the only recognised centre-back at the club – and even he wasn’t a first choice selection for much of the season.

If a player wants to move then it is difficult for a manager to stand in their way, however as Shackell was such a key player last season it would surely be wise to consider offering him an improved contract as a reward for his efforts in the hope that he will remain at the club.

It is likely that Shackell is one of the higher earners at Oakwell given his previous ties with Premier League teams, cashing in on a transfer to fund the signing of several other players may be an option that Keith Hill considers to be attractive.

Related articles

• Championship rivals target Shackell (barnsleyfc.com)
• Derby County make official offer for Jason Shackell (barnsleyfc.com)