Southend United have opened talks with Shrewsbury Town striker Tyrone Barnett regarding a potential loan move, according to Echo News. The transfer is expected to be completed in time for him to feature against Swindon Town on Saturday.
BBC Radio Shropshire understands that the length of the deal would see the 30-year stay at Roots Hall for the rest of the season.
Tyrone Barnett looks set to sign for Southend. Sources suggest the #Salop striker will join on loan until the end of the season.
— BBC Sport Shropshire (@BBCShropSport) January 6, 2016
It was believed that Phil Brown had tried to sign Barnett back in February, before the striker elected to link up with Shrewsbury.
Southend find themselves just three points outside the League One play-off places with a game in-hand, although they have lost their last two games against Millwall and Doncaster Rovers, scoring none and conceding seven. Clearly Brown is looking to strengthen his forward line, and he is set to sign an experienced individual.
With Joe Pigott’s loan from Charlton Athletic concluded, Barnett is set to fill the void left in the striking department. The Shrimpers, despite their good league standing, have only scored 31 goals so far in League One, which is the joint-lowest out of any side in the top 11 of the division.
After a spell in non-league, Barnett made the move to Macclesfield Town in 2010, before earning himself a move to Crawley Town in 2011 for an undisclosed fee. After an impressive spell, he earned himself a £1.1million move to Peterborough United and after a bright start, he failed to sustain that level. Loan moves to Ipswich Town, Bristol City and Oxford United followed before moving to Shrewsbury in in February.
