Barnsley line up move for Colchester United starlet George Moncur

Barnsley could soon land highly-rated Colchester United midfielder George Moncur.
Barnsley's Josh Brownhill battles with George Moncur
 Picture Dean AtkinsBarnsley's Josh Brownhill battles with George Moncur
 Picture Dean Atkins
Barnsley's Josh Brownhill battles with George Moncur Picture Dean Atkins

The 22-year-old is the son of former Hammers player John and is set to leave the U’s this summer.

And The Star understands the Reds, who have already had an opening £400,000 bid for the player rejected, are now expected to raise their offer to try and land the player.

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It’s no secret the South Yorkshire club are going to try and strengthen ahead of their return to the Championship following last season’s memorable promotion.

But it is not yet known where Moncur would fit into their line-up – and whether that means that influential midfielders Adam Hammill and Conor Hourihane have decided to stay at the club.

Skipper Hourihane is the more likely of the two to stay with a year left to run on his contract, but it is not yet known whether Hammill will stay.

The former Liverpool playmaker – who scored a wonder goal in the club’s fine 3-1 League One Play-Off final win over Millwall at Wembley – has been offered a new deal.

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And the Barnsley fans love the player, particularly after the way he has sparkled in his second spell at the club.

But as of yet Hammill has not revealed whether he will stay at Oakwell, with a number of other clubs understand to be interested in his signature.

Bristol City, now managed by former Reds boss Lee Johnson, are thought to be one of the clubs interested in signing the 28-year-old.

Former Leeds United and Rotherham United left-back Aidy White has been offered a new deal to stay at the club having impressed since he was released by the Millers in January.

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Fellow defender George Williams is the third and final player to be offered a new contract at Oakwell, with midfielder Jak McCourt having been released.

However, as yet none of the three players offered contracts have told the club what they’d like to do.

But the strengthening process continues and Moncur, who started his career with West Ham, could be a good addition.

He scored 14 goals in 51 matches last season for the U’s, but featured in a side which were relegated to League Two.

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Charlton Athletic had a £150,000 offer for the player rejected last month, while Peterborough United, MK Dons and Swindon Town have also been linked with the player.

Moncur joined Colchester on loan from West Ham in August 2014 before securing a permanent deal at the club three months later.

He has also represented his country at England Under 17s and 18s levels and the U’s are understood to be commanding a £500,000 fee for the player.

The Reds continue to be linked to Walsall midfielder Sam Mantom, while assistant manager Tommy Wright continues to be linked with a move to join up with Johnson at Ashton Gate.

* Did you know that Moncur is a devoted Christian?

“I know that no matter how bad or good it gets I’ll keep the same faith in Jesus,” he said.

Will divine intervention take him to Barnsley?