Barnsley Football Club have confirmed today that two more parties have shown preliminary interest in a takeover at Oakwell.
The club were quick to point out that this interest is just at the inquisitive stage and there have been no advanced moves from either party.
There has been rife talk of a takeover since September when a Spanish and Middle East consortium met with Reds director Don Rowing but, in light of the side’s recent run of results which has threatened their position in the Npower Championship, that interest has severely cooled.
Rowing told the Press Association:
“We’ve had renewed interest from other parties, but nothing is on the table. There has been preliminary contact and we have steered them in the right direction.
“A Spanish consortium had shown initial interest. They have gone very quiet since November, but there has been renewed interest from a couple of other parties without anything concrete.
“We don’t know yet whether they are time-wasters. Barnsley is an attractive proposition because the club is debt-free, but it’s like people coming to look round your house.
“They can come and have a look and then say no it’s not for me. But we’re going through the proper protocol in terms of confidentiality agreements and will wait and see if anything develops.”
Meanwhile Reds boss Keith Hill has revealed he has started planning for the opening of the January transfer window in 12 days time, despite the fact he may not still be in the Oakwell hotseat by then.
There are rife rumours that should The Reds suffer their eighth defeat in 11 matches and stretch their winless run to 12 matches at Millwall on Saturday, Hill will be axed and the club will be looking for their 11th manager in 14 years.
But the 43 year old is looking ahead, and hoping to bolster the ranks to ensure Championship survival.
He said:
“January could be an opportunity to freshen things up, depending on the availability of funds, we’re always looking at the possibility of recycling players,”
“There will be players who want to leave, players who I want to leave, players who I want to retain and players that I want to recruit, but January could be an opportunity to freshen things up, depending on the availability of funds.”