Exclusive:Hibs transfer news - loan star in permanent switch talks as Gray makes 'complicated' admission on midfield ace
Out-of-contract Middlesbrough player has been an ever present in Easter Road starting XI
Hibs are in talks over a permanent contract for one of their most impressive and consistent loan performers. And David Gray has told The Evening News exactly why he wants Dan Barlaser to extend his Easter Road adventure beyond the end of the season.
The summer deadline day signing has become a virtual ever present in the starting XI since arriving on a season-long loan from Middlesbrough. The 29-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season, and is currently exploring his options as a free agent.
Hibs boss Gray admits negotiations will be “complicated” by the fact that the classy midfielder will be attracting plenty of interest at a crucial stage of his career, with his performances in Scotland putting him in the shop window as he seeks to maximise his earning potential over the coming years. But Gray believes the Englishman is thriving amid the physicality of the Scottish Premiership – and is enjoying his football as much as ever.
With Boro currently sitting second in the EFL Championship, it remains to be seen whether Barlaser will have any future in Kim Hellberg’s plans. But Hibs are definitely interested in securing the playmaker’s services for the longer term.
“The conversations are ongoing,” revealed Gray. “Dan is one who came in and has done really well.
“Clearly his parent club are doing well as well in the Championship, so there's all different permutations of what that might look like. But one thing I would take from the conversations we've had with Dan is that he's really enjoying it.
“You can see that in the way he's playing, he's really enjoying it. He's been a really good addition to the group on and off the pitch, culturally very good.
‘Conversations’ happening with Boro loanee
“There are conversations going on, but it's not one that we can do anytime soon or in a position to look at doing that because there are a lot of different variables at the moment, just with his parent club, what's happening with them.
“Then where we are looking at the players we have got on loan, are they going to be here? Is it an option to bring them back? Is it not an option to bring them back? You just try to balance that whole thing.
“He is out of contract at the end of the season. That's why it's a little bit more complicated.
“It’ll be what’s right for football club, also Dan's current situation and his age. He's slightly different from someone who's coming towards the end of his career or someone who's really young and trying to get some more exposure again. It's an ongoing one with Dan just now.”
Barlaser’s arrival at the very end of the summer transfer window was greeted with minimal fanfare. Fans who had seen plenty of seemingly elegant footballers struggle with the brutal physicality of Scotland’s top flight wondered whether he’d be able to cope amid the mayhem.
Fitter and stronger since SPFL switch
Gray knew he was getting a player short on match fitness, with Barlaser unable to break into the Boro team under then-boss Rob Edwards at the start of the season. But he was confident that the experienced professional would adapt.
“Yeah, I think he's improved a lot physically since he came in as well,” said the former club captain. “I think he'll be the first to admit that.
“Just body shape-wise, he's fitter, he's stronger than he was. That comes from playing regularly as well, so he wasn't obviously playing as much.
“When you think back to his whole pre-season, what he got minutes-wise to training load when we signed him versus coming into the team and staying in the team. He's definitely benefited from that.
“I think the biggest thing in the way we play is he works so hard to get on the ball. Even if he gives it away, he always really tries to get on it and really makes us tick.
“I think he's definitely brought a calmness to the middle of the pitch. Like you've touched on, the intensity and tempo in the Scottish games, especially in the middle of the pitch, can be quite ferocious.
“I think he's adapted well to that, added to that players around about him as well that can handle that physicality as well. I think he does bring a really good blend in the middle of the pitch, bringing a sense of calm to games.”