Barnsley's outgoing general manager and chief executive Don Rowing has told BBC Radio Sheffield that the deal to bring Sheffield Wednesday striker Chris O'Grady back to Oakwell is not dead.
The Star reported on Saturday that the Reds had a bid turned down for the 27-year-old who scored six goals in 16 appearances after a January loan move from the Owls. The article suggested that Barnsley boss David Flitcroft had given up hope of signing O'Grady, but Rowing has told South Yorkshire journalists that the move is still on.
O'Grady is thought to be keen on a permanent switch to the Reds, where he said he "felt wanted". He recently appealed to people associated with the club to find his number 27 shirt which was misplaced following the Bruce Dyer 'Love Life' game at Oakwell.
Rowing told BBC Radio Sheffield:
"We're not too far away with Chris and we're very hopeful that common sense will prevail,"
"Hopefully something will be done with that in the next couple of weeks because we want him into the club"
Rowing also spoke to confirm that the Reds are interested in Motherwell striker Michael Higdon and former Bristol City striker Jonathan Stead who is a free agent after leaving Ashton Gate.
The club contacted Higdon ten days ago to offer him terms to sign for the Reds, but have not heard anything back from the player as of yet, as he evaluates all avenues open to him.
He also revealed that the club had tried to contact beaten League One play-off finalists Brentford about 24 goal striker Clayton Donaldson but hadn't been able to get hold of anyone to speak about Donaldson's availability.