Barnsley manager Gerhard Struber has admitted the club have held talks with his former side Wolfsberger about the potential signing of defender Michael Sollbauer.

It was reported earlier on Thursday that Sollbauer has left Wolfsberger's training camp, and is en route to England to undergo a medical ahead of a proposed move to the Tykes, although Struber appears reluctant to confirm a deal is that close to completion.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of his side's FA Cup fourth-round clash away at Portsmouth on Saturday afternoon, Struber was asked about those reports around Stollbauer, with the Barnsley boss quoted by the Yorkshire Evening Post as saying: "Michael Sollbauer was my captain at Wolfsberger AC. He is a very interesting player with big experience and strength."

Discussing the situation around a potential move for the 29-year-old, Struber continued: "That is what we need in the future, but now it is not fixed. We are in a good exchange, but no more."

Sollbauer joined Wolfsberger back in the summer of 2010, and has since gone onto make 309 appearances in all competitions for the club, helping them win promotion to and then establish themselves in the Austrian top-flight during his time there.

Barnsley have already signed one player from Wolfsberger this month, with midfielder Marcel Ritzmaier joining on a permanent deal, while full-back Kilian Ludewig has joined on loan until the end of the season from another Austrian side, Red Bull Salzburg.

The Verdict

This is an interesting one, and it does seem as though it could yet happen this month.

While Struber did not confirm that a deal has been agreed, the fact he has admitted there has been contact does seem to imply that there is a significant amount of interest there, since that is not the sort of admission a manager will always make.

If it does go through, then you feel this could be a useful deal for Barnsley since Sollbauer's experience could help them to cut out some of the errors that have cost the Tykes so heavily at the back this season.

Indeed, his familiarity with Struber could also be a benefit to Barnsley, with his knowledge of the manager's style potentially allowing him to help convey the Austrian's methods to the rest of the squad, who may still be adjusting to his techniques.