From Sheffield star

Luke Steele is nearing his Barnsley exit.

The Star understands the sought-after goalkeeper, who joined the Reds in 2008, is highly unlikely to sign a new one-year contract at the club.

Steele has been offered reduced terms to stay at Oakwell despite, arguably, being one of the club’s best performers last season. And perhaps even more surprisingly first team boss David Flitcroft said the player didn’t warrant a longer deal because he was “too old”.

Steele is only 28 and some people will have the opinion, including the player, that he is approaching the prime of his professional career.

But The Star understands Flitcroft is keen to work within a stringent wage structure with one of the lowest budgets in the Championship.

And he has revealed he would happily give Ben Alnwick, the club’s number two keeper, the chance to come out of the shadows and replace the experienced Steele between the posts.

Flitcroft is understood to have looked at a number of new goalkeepers to replace Steele, while former loan player Ross Turnbull – who has been released by Chelsea – is thought to be a target.

Defender Bobby Hassell could also be on his way out of the club despite being offered a one-year contract to stay.

Next season is loyal Hassell’s decade with the Reds, although The Star understands the player is disillusioned with a lack of first team action.

That could tempt the player to leave in search of regular football in the Championship, with Huddersfield Town – managed by former Reds’ boss Mark Robins – understood to have expressed an interest in signing the 32-year-old.

Sheffield Wednesday striker Chris O’Grady is now odds-on to be the Reds’ first signing ahead of the new season, although a deal is unlikely to be sorted until next week.

 

Looking forward to you defending Alnwick all next season

should be entertaining.

 

Re: Looking forward to you defending Alnwick all next season

Yeah but Ben Alnwick can kick it deeeeeeead far. And in a straight line. He must be ace, in fact far better than Luke Steele.

 

Re: Looking forward to you defending Alnwick all next season

Relegation battle again then kids! Buckle up for a stormy season!

 

Re: Looking forward to you defending Alnwick all next season

??????????? Mr.c

 

Re: Looking forward to you defending Alnwick all next season

smoke/mirrors.

On balance of probability, Steele stays.

Save that to bookmarks folks for much pillock later.

 

Re: Looking forward to you defending Alnwick all next season

Suspect he'll be on his way.

You don't know what you've got 'til it's gone.

 

Re: Looking forward to you defending Alnwick all next season

was it 6 million quid the cost of relegation??

i truly believe that if luke steele had not been in goal away at crystal palace and nottingham forest we would have been relegated.

1 year deal, 28 years old, reduced cash...

beggars belief.

 

Re: Looking forward to you defending Alnwick all next season

I think the 1 year deal is a reflection of Flitcroft's view on his long standing groin problem which he's carrying rather than a conscious decision to get rid, pointing to age as we know is nonsense. If he passes a medical at another club on more money, good luck to him but I'm even more worried about Flickers faith in Alnwick as a replacement. It needs to be concluded asap though, dragged on long enough now.

 

What happened to that European keeper we were supposedly signing?
If Steele goes, which I think he will then all the best Luke lad.
However I don't think we will be in a relegation battle purely because Steele hasn't signed a new contract.
Now if you said the same regarding Martin Cranie then I would have to agree, he is irreplaceable at the moment.

 

Agree off spring

 

Re: Looking forward to you defending Alnwick all next season

Pretty simple. If we keep Luke we might push on next season. If we let him go and have blind faith in Ben Alnwick as our first choice keeper it will be another annual relegation battle season.

 

Re: Looking forward to you defending Alnwick all next season

The age thing was just daft

 

Re: Looking forward to you defending Alnwick all next season

Must be a quiet news day.Everything what's in the Star was in the Chronicle last Friday.

 

Re: Looking forward to you defending Alnwick all next season

Where's this theory that Martin Cranie is immense come from?

The guy was on par with Wiseman last season, and no better than Hassell/Foster when they played.


And I like Cranie. But talk about selective memories. Jesus wept.

 

Prior to copying and pasting did you have a little sex wee?

 

Re: Looking forward to you defending Alnwick all next season

Agreed.

The question is though how much has he been offered ?

It's all well and good saying that the club should keep him but what if he values himself at twice what the next highest player is on ?

I'm not saying he is but unless that information is available then all speculation is somewhat superfluous.

BTW I like Steele and I hope he stays but I haven't got enough of those 'fact' type things... and in fairness it doesn't matter a jot what I think really.

 

Re: Looking forward to you defending Alnwick all next season

It might not matter to some what you think Dave, but you don't half talk some sense

 

That doesn't make it right hemsmuller.

 

by far our best player, what's wrong with adding another year and another grand on?!