By George! Posh make a massive Moncur bid

Posh have made one of the biggest bids in their history in an attempt to land highly-rated Colchester United midfielder George Moncur. Posh have had an offer of £500kforthe22year-old playmakeracceptedbytheLeague Two club, but Championship side Barnsley andLeagueOne rivals Charlton are also chasing his signature.

Barnsley have also bid £500k for Moncur who has promised to make a decision whenhereturnsfromholiday next week.

MoncurmetwithnewPosh boss Grant McCann last week and they hit it off immediately according to director of football at the ABAX Stadium Barry Fry.

“Grant used to play at West HamwithGeorge’sfatherJohn Moncur,” Frystated. “Hecame tothemeetingaswellandboth were impressed with what Grant had to say.

“Personal termshavebeen agreed, but nothing has been signed yet and until that happens I am not taking anything for granted.

“Barnsley could blow us out of the water wages-wise, but George says it’s not about money for him so let’s hope that’s the case.

“He would be a sensational signing for us. He’s a Grant McCann-type player in that he is great on the ball, he passes well and he scores plenty of goals.”

Moncur started his career at West Ham and, after loan spells at Wimbledon and Partick Thistle, joined Colchester in August 2014. He scored 23 goals in 97 appearances for Colchester, but the Essex-based club are happyto sell following their relegation from League One last season.

Fry also confirmed Posh are i nterested i n Barnet striker MathewStevens. Posh became aware of the 18 yearold’s talent when he scored hat-tricks for Barnet against Posh’s Under 18 and Under 21 sides.

Stevens, whoisalsoatransfer target for Scottish side Rangers, has scored one senior Barnet goal in 12 appearances (10 as a substitute).

Posh expect goalkeeper Ben Alnwick to sign a new three-year contract as soon as he returns from holiday.

New contract negotiations are currently under way with right-back Michael Smith.

Transfer- listed players Jack Payne and Luke James have attracted little interest from other clubs.

If George Moncur did sign for Posh for half a million poundshe’dbecomethejointsixth mostexpensiveplayerin the club’s history.

Notthatahugetransferfee guarantees success, as Posh’s first million-pound man Tyrone Barnett proved.

Barnett’s 12 goals for Posh cost almost 92k apiece.

MidfielderJackPayne, who cost Posh £750k in 2013, is proving difficult to shift from the ABAX Stadium. He spent last season on loan at League Two side Leyton Orient.

And Luke James, the man purchased to replace the club’s most expensive player BrittAssombalongainAugust 2014, scored on his Posh debut, but nettedjustoncemore in 33 appearances.

James was at his former club Hartlepool on loan last season.

George Moncur (right) playing for Colchester against Posh.