Barnsley captain Alex Mowatt says talks over a new contract are ongoing and that he wants to remain at the Championship club.

The 25-year-old’s deal runs out at the end of this season, having signed a one-year extension last term.

Mowatt, who has made over a century of appearances for Barnsley since signing from Leeds United in 2017, confirmed discussions are taking place and reassured supporters he would like to extend his stay at Oakwell.

“We’re in talks now, they’re ongoing,” said the midfielder. “We’ll see what happens in January or the end of the season, and hopefully something gets sorted.

“I’ve been here a while now and I really enjoy it. Hopefully it soon gets sorted.”

‘Soul of the team’ 

His head coach Valerien Ismael made clear that he wants Mowatt to sign a new contract and was effervescent in the praise for his skipper.

“Alex is a very big part of Barnsley FC, he’s the soul of this team,” said Ismael, who took charge at the club last month and has turned results around with four wins out in six matches.

“I’m delighted to work with him and in this way of playing football he’s already shown his quality for the team and for our philosophy. He’s very dangerous out of possession, he wins a lot of balls in the opponent’s half, and with the ball he can make the difference with the pass or goal.

“I’m always confident, and I’m very confident we can have the next step with him,” he added on the chances of securing a new deal. “Everyone knows my thinking about him in the club, and we will try to find a solution.”

The previous day, Barnsley CEO Dane Murphy also addressed Mowatt’s situation, saying: “It would be stupid to promise or guarantee anything but I have a good feeling about it.

“He’s a great kid, a great player and our captain so all of that leads me to believe things are going in the right direction and we can get something done.”

Knack for the spectacular 

Mowatt secured the Championship’s Goal of the Month award in October for a stunning volley at Millwall, and also scored another brilliant goal from distance in Barnsley’s win over Watford.

“I thought the goal against Watford was the better goal, but I’m happy to get the award so I don’t mind either way,” he said.

“When I came to the club, that’s what I wanted to do; get forward and score goals. That’s what I like to do as a midfielder. With Jamo (Matty James) being in there it’s given me license to go forward a bit more and I’ve enjoyed that.

“(Ismael) wants the midfielders to get in the box or be on the edge of the box, to be in those areas. That’s where I’ve scored most of the goals in my career, in and around the area has been good for me.

“No coach has really ever told me to shoot from distance or not to shoot from distance. If I do get a chance then I think I can score. I’ll take the shot on, I don’t mind shooting from distance. Most of my goals have come from distance.

“I was getting a bit of stick for my shooting at the start of the season, but hopefully scoring a few goals buys me a few more wayward shots!”

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