Barnsley could be set to lose out in their battle to sign Ivory Coast defender Steve Gohouri, with Premier League Wigan set to snatch him on a free transfer from German side Borussia Moenchengladbach.
Reds boss Mark Robins was set to snare the defender after bringing him to Oakwell on trial, but the interest from Wigan has swayed the international’s head and he could be set to move to Lancashire rather than Yorkshire.
The Sunday People reports:
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez is set to snap up Ivory Coast centre-half Steve Gohouri on a free transfer from Borussia Moenchengladbach.
The big, strapping defender impressed in a trial and Martinez is looking to finalise a bid at the start of the week to take him on an 18month deal. Martinez is keen to push a move through as soon as possible after he ran into snags with a rival target, Chilean international Waldo Ponce, after doing a lot of groundwork on the deal.
Gohouri is also sweating on a move after he saw a move to Barnsley hit the buffers.
This setback could see Robins find defensive reinforcements closer to home with Nottingham Forest’s young centre back Brendan Moloney believed to be on his radar. Moloney, 20, has six caps for the Republic of Ireland Under 21 side and has recently been on a loan deal at Forest’s neighbours Notts County where he impressed during 18 appearances. Due to Forest’s excellent run of form- the Reds are undefeated in 18 matches and sit second in the Championship- Moloney has found games at the City Ground hard to come by. Barnsley and Scunthorpe are believed to be ready to offer him the chance of first team football.
The Sunday People continues:
Nottingham Forest have told youngster Brendan Moloney he can go if the price is right. Barnsley and Scunthorpe are interested in the 20 year old defender, who has impressed on loan at Notts County.
He came through the ranks at the City Ground but failed to break into the first team. After loan spells at County, Chesterfield and Rushden, boss Billy Davies told him he can leave in his bid for first team football.