Darren Barr's contract at Falkirk expires in the summer

By Brian McLauchlin

Falkirk boss Eddie May says he is not interested in having loan players come to the club as part of a transfer deal for defender Darren Barr.

The 24-year-old has been linked with a move to Aberdeen, Hibs, Hearts and Dundee in the current transfer window.

"If any club is interested in signing Darren now, they will have to come up with hard cash," said May about Barr, whose contract expires in the summer.

"I'm not talking about £50,000; it will take much more than that."

Hibernian manager John Hughes has not given up hope of signing Barr despite Hearts and Dundee being given permission to talk to the defender, but it appears that Hibs' rivals are prepared to pay a fee to Falkirk to sign him in January.

"It's never dead," Hughes, who has also spoken to Barr, told BBC Scotland.

"We put something to him and he felt that he wanted to see what else was out there as he is quite entitled to."

Barr was this month able to speak to other clubs about joining them for free in the summer and Aberdeen are pursuing that avenue along with the Edinburgh club.

I am sure the club have a figure they want for Darren Barr Falkirk manager Eddie May

Hughes added: "We are entitled to keep an eye on whatever is out there.

"If he doesn't come here, or he goes elsewhere, or even stays at Falkirk, I will wish him all the best because he is a right good lad."

May said last month that he thought his captain would see out the remainder of his contract before moving to a Coca-Cola Championship club in England at the end of the season.

"It is a big decision for Darren Barr and it's important for him to talk to as many people as possible," said May.

"I think Darren just wants to play at a good level, whether in Scotland or in England.

"He has always indicated to me that he wants to leave to go to England, but the clubs interested might be a good stepping stone.

"I don't think he will sign a pre-contract agreement to join anyone in the summer. If he decides on any club now, he will leave in the January transfer window.

"I am sure the club have a figure they want for Darren Barr and, if it reaches that point, I will just have to replace Darren with another defender."

MY SPORT: DEBATE Give your reaction to Barr's possible transfer

May had been critical of Aberdeen and Hibs after they offered swap deals before reaching an agreement with the Scotland international.

However, he would not begrudge a move for a player who has been at Falkirk since leaving school eight years ago and was brought through the youth ranks by Hughes.

"He has been here for 10 years and deserves the opportunity to play at a very good level," added May.

Meanwhile, May says a number of his players have been attracting attention.

"There have been a number of clubs asking about some of our players but as yet there have been no firm offers," he said.

"We don't need to sell anyone but if someone makes what we feel is a very good offer, then in the current financial climate we will listen."

Falkirk have allowed two players to go out on loan until the end of the season. Defender Brian Allison has joined Stirling Albion whilst midfielder Chris Mitchell has agreed to join Ayr United.

The Bairns have four SPL fixtures in the next 10 days that May says will have a major outcome on their season.

The league's bottom side tackle Dundee United at home on Sunday before facing Motherwell, Rangers and Aberdeen.

"As long as we approach these games right we should be OK," said May.

"We have a half-decent squad and a game in hand over Kilmarnock. We really have to go and win that and then just match them between now and the end of the season to stay in the league."

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