Barnsley have been left frustrated after the Football Association rejected their loan move for striker Oliver McBurnie.
The Reds have been chasing the Scotland Under 21 international all summer and it seemed they have landed their man on a season long loan after Swansea signed Wilfried Bony from Manchester City,
However the FA have today informed the club that the paperwork and overall administration of the transfer was not completed by the 11pm deadline last Thursday and so have therefore decided that McBurnie cannot register with the Oakwell outfit.
A statement from the club today read:
“Barnsley Football Club have today received final notification from the English Football League that the loan signing of Oli McBurnie from Swansea City has been rejected.
The signing was announced on deadline day with the full belief from both Barnsley Football Club and Swansea City Football Club that the deal had been completed and Oli would be a Barnsley player for the 2017/18 season.
However, the administration process of the transfer was deemed to have not been met in order to allow the signing to be completed, leading to the EFL today confirming that the transfer has been rejected.
The Club are disappointed in the decision from the point of view of both Barnsley Football Club and the player, Oliver McBurnie.
Chief Executive Gauthier Ganaye has issued the following comment in regards to the decision today by the English Football League.
“We are naturally extremely disappointed, but we respect the English Football League’s decision and thank them for their communication throughout the process.
“Oli showed a huge desire to come and play for Barnsley Football Club which can only be admired and ultimately this decision will have the most impact on him. We are disappointed, but understand that although the player was identified as a significant target for the Club over two months ago, we were unable to try and effect the registration until the last moments of deadline day.
“We wish Oli nothing but the best of luck back at Swansea City in their Premier League campaign.”
This announcement could leave The Reds light in the striker department with just Tom Bradshaw, Ike Ugo and Mamadou Thiam to call upon as first choice strikers and 19 year old Jacob Brown as back-up and due to FA rules this cannot now be rectified until January.