Tykes set for Silva lining

Barnsley manager Keith Hill is closing in on the signing of Toni Silva, with the Liverpool winger expected to join on a free transfer.

Silva has not made a first-team appearance for Liverpool, but the 18-year-old featured 15 times on loan for League Two club Northampton Town last season.

Silva has rejected Premier League clubs, and top-flight teams from the continent, to move to Oakwell, according to Sky Sports.

Hill has spoken to Northampton boss Aidy Boothroyd about Silva and he is looking forward to adding the Portuguese to his squad.

"He's a very talented player, but he's still raw," Hill told the Sheffield Star.

"We've watched him a few times and we've really been impressed with what we've seen.

"He went on loan to Northampton last season, which was a good experience for him. I spoke to Aidy Boothroyd about him and he agrees that he's an exciting prospect.

"Toni is left-footed and we've been looking for a left-footed winger for a while. But he can also play wide on the right and as a No.10, so he's the type of player we're looking for.

"There's no magic formula about buying players unless you have money, but we're working within a tight budget and doing the best business we can.

"This is a really good signing for the club but there needs to be some patience because he's still a young lad."