According to journalist Pete O’Rouke, former Wigan Athletic striker Stephen Humphrys is set to join Barnsley on a free transfer.
New manager Darrell Clarke has been left scrambling for attacking options with little time left of the window after a deal for Victor Edvardsen fell through at the final stages. The striker was set to move to Oakwell on loan, with an option to buy, with personal terms agreed and a medical passed, but in the final stages of the deal blew off the transfer due to ‘family reasons’.
However, it looks like the Tykes have got their replacement, with 26-year-old Humphrys now believed to be signing on the dotted line as a new Barnsley player. Across his career, he came through the ranks at Fulham, experiencing multiple loan spells at Shrewsbury Town, Scunthorpe United, Southend United, Rochdale and Scottish side Hearts, with his most recent spell being at fellow League One club Wigan. The Latics chose to release him from the club at the end of his contract, leaving him a free agent.
Humphrys has proven to be a reliable striker at League One level, with 59 goal contributions in 182 appearances in the third tier.
Rather controversially, former manager Niell Collins was sacked with his side in the play-offs, meaning that assistant manager Martin Devaney had to take the hot seat. Barnsley lost on aggregate to Bolton Wanderers in the semi-finals, and now look to push for the play-offs yet again. However, with a difficult window and the strength of the window this season, the same fate may not be able to be repeated. Clarke’s side have started reasonably well on the pitch, losing one, drawing one and winning one in League One despite the frustrating transfer window. On top of this, they beat Championship opposition in the form of Sheffield United midweek in the EFL Cup, and now look forward to a tie at Old Trafford with Manchester United.
Despite Clarke’s frustrations, seven players have arrived at Oakwell. This includes the likes of the returning Connor Hourihane, Marc Roberts, Jackson Smith, Georgi Grant and Kelechi Nwakali and loanee pair Matthew Craig and Gabriel Slonina, who have both joined from Premier League clubs. The Tykes have lost crucial players, however, with Herbie Kane, Devante Cole and Callum Styles leaving for pastures new in their careers.
With the Edvardsen transfer behind them, Humphrys looks set to be their eighth new signing, and their striker to link up with the squad at Oakwell.
Writer’s View
Missing out on the Edvarsen deal was a big blow for Barnsley. However, they have recovered well and brought in a striker proven at this level. Whilst it certainly wasn’t their first choice of who in an ideal world they’d bring in, to save the potential £1 million and instead bring in a striker on a free transfer does save the club some money at the very least.
With the little time left on the clock, Clarke has done well to get in another striker before the window slams shut. Humphreys is not a bad signing by any means and has proven in recent seasons to be a reliable goalscorer at this level. The 26-year-old still has years to offer, and is still yet so experienced, making almost 300 appearances in football. They could’ve certainly done much worse.
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