League One side Barnsley are closing in on securing the signature of French defender Maël de Gevigney, according to journalist Doug O’Kane from the Barnsley Chronicle.
The 23-year-old centre-back is set to make the move to Oakwell from Ligue 2 side Nimes, where he made 31 appearances for the club last season as they suffered relegation.
It is understood by the Barnsley Chronicle that the move for de Gevigney is thought to be extremely close and that an announcement of his signing could be imminent.
Barnsley are in the market for a new central defender following the departure of Mads Andersen to Premier League newcomers Luton Town. The Tykes have also had to deal with the departure of Bobby Thomas with his loan deal expiring, who has since signed for Coventry City from Burnley, as well as Jasper Moon, who has penned a permanent deal with Burton Albion.
When asked about speculation linking the Frenchman to Barnsley, head coach Neill Collins was not in a position to give anything away, but was also asked if there was potentially any chance a new signing could play in their opening fixture against Port Vale.
“There are a lot of factors to consider if it’s the right thing to do,” said Collins.
“I couldn’t answer from a contract or logistics point of view. But we would always be pushing to have as many players involved as we could.”
The capture of de Gevigney would be The Tykes’ eighth summer signing of the transfer window, following in the names that have made to move to Yorkshire such as goalkeepers Liam Roberts (loan) and Ben Killip, defenders Kacper Lopata, Korey O’Keeffe and Kyran Lofthouse, as well as forwards Max Watters and Andrew Dallas.
Writer’s View
The name Maël de Gevigney is certainly not one that’s familiar around the English game, but if there is a position that Barnsley need to strengthen over the course of the next few weeks, it’s in defence.
There are some big shoes to fill as well following the departure of Mads Andersen, who has since made the switch to Luton Town of the Premier League. Is de Gevigney the man to replace Andersen? Who knows.
If the deal was to be completed as expected, I’d be sure to keep an eye out on the 23-year-old in a Barnsley shirt in the upcoming League One campaign.
