The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Two in, two out, but Posh have more deals to do
Posh have secured two new signings in the first half of January, but that is not the end of the transfer window recruitment.
Full-back Bali Mumba (Norwich) and goalkeeper Steven Benda (Swansea) have joined Posh on loan until the end of the season.
But the club transfer negotiators Barry Fry and Darragh MacAnthony are continuing to burn the midnight oil as they attempt to build a squad capable of surviving at Championship level.
“We wouldn’t be doing our jobs properly if we didn’t try and bring more players in,” Posh director of football Barry Fry said. “The first-half of the season hasn’t gone to plan so now we have to try and help the manager.
“We were keen on Bali for a long time and he’s already shown what he can do. We are now chasing other players who we hope will be as good. We have made two bids, but other deals would be loans.”
A forward and another full-back are on the Posh hit list. A new midfielder is also a possibility, although the relative success of the midfield diamond in recent games has caused a re-think in that department.
Mumba is competent in either full-back position, but it’s thought Posh want to play him on the right so a left-sided defender is being sought.
Chairman MacAnthony said: “With a midfield diamond we need two athletic full-backs, ones who can who can create goals.
“I am confident we are not far off having a squad capable of succeeding in the Championship. We need to be a fraction better in the second-half of the season than we were in the first 23 matches.
“We are working hard on deals, but it’s tough doing business in January. We were close to a deal for one player recently and just waiting for his club to replace him. Then there was a Covid scare at a club which stopped everything.”
• Posh goalkeeper Dan
Gyollai turned his loan move to Maidenhead into a permanent move this week.
Senior goalkeeper Christy Pym is also currently on loan at League Two side Stevenage and the arrival of Benda means teenage ‘keeper Will Blackmore can also leave on loan.
Striker Kai Corbett, who made his first-team debut against Barnsley in November, could also be sent out on loan with MacAnthony confident he could get 20 goals in a full season at League Two level.
• Scottish Premier Lerague side Aberdeen are interested in Posh midfielder Ryan Broom who is currently on loan at League One side Plymouth Argyle.
• Former Posh boss Steve
Evans has left the Gillingham manager’s position by mutual consent. Evans had been in charge at Priestfield for 20 months. He leaves the Gills 22nd in League One.