Carlisle United have offer turned down for transfer target

The Blues are hoping to add to their four January signings so far but a bid was rebuffed for a player on Friday.

Simpson hopes Carlisle can continue to make progress in the transfer market as the Cumbrians try to improve their squad for an increasingly difficult relegation battle.

“We had an offer that was turned down on Friday for a player,” the Blues boss told the News & Star.

“We didn't find out until later on – we were hoping that that would move quicker.

“Things are moving really slowly, I'll be honest with you. I would have liked to have moved things quicker. But they're not.

“We've got a few things that are ticking away. But it's really hard because you just don't know until you get the nod as to how quick it's going to be.

“But we're trying to get players in, we really are.

“I don't know whether there'll be anybody before Tuesday [United’s next game at Barnsley].

“But we're going to do everything we possibly can to get them in before the end of January.”

Simpson, whose side remain six points from safety after Saturday's 3-1 home defeat to Oxford United, has not confirmed which positions he is now trying to strengthen having already brought in a goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and striker so far this month.

One player linked to Carlisle in some reports is the Bradford City forward Jake Young, who has impressed with 16 goals on loan for Swindon Town in League Two so far this season.

He is now back at Bradford, whose boss Graham Alexander told the Telegraph & Argus last night: “There’s been another bid [for Young] that’s been turned down.”

Young was not involved for Bradford in their 1-1 draw at Colchester United on Saturday. Should he play for his parent club this month, he will not be able to play for another club this season.

“If he was fit enough, he’d be in our squad,” added Alexander. “When he says he’s comfortable enough and declares himself fit, then he’ll be with the rest of the players available for selection.” Exeter City and Port Vale have also been credited with interest in the 22-year-old.

Keeper Harry Lewis, one of four January signings so far, made his debut in the Oxford defeat (Image: Ben Holmes)

Simpson said United’s need for more reinforcements was clear, having already brought in Bradford keeper Harry Lewis, Harrogate Town striker Luke Armstrong, Sheffield United midfielder Harrison Neal and Crystal Palace loan defender Seán Grehan.

Lewis made his debut in the Oxford defeat with Armstrong and Neal getting their home debuts. Grehan is yet to feature.

“There’s nothing I’m expecting to happen over the next 24 hours but we’ll go again,” added Simpson.

“We want players in, it’s really obvious. We have the finances to be able to do it, I hope we’ll be able to do it but I can’t stand here and make any promises.”

• Simmo: Why defender missed Blues' defeat to Oxford

Simpson was also asked by BBC Radio Cumbria if pace in wide attacking areas was among the qualities on his mind when it came to potential additions.

He replied: “Those are areas we’re looking at but it’s difficult because there are not many out there that will come to us.

“We use StatsBomb [a data package] and look at all the players out there, and the ones we believe would come and help us, they’re not going to come to us.

“They’re playing for top end teams who we can’t compete with.

“We’re in a better position financially to get a different level of player [due to the backing of United's new owners, the Piatak family] but we also can’t take everybody.

“There are players in the Oxford side…they would blow us away in terms of what we can afford. But we are going to keep working.”