Crawley Town target David Worrall

Reds had a £150,000 bid for the 22-year-old winger knocked back in August 2012.

But the Shakers are still in financial trouble having released all but five first team players following their relegation to League 2 and could now be willing to listen to offers.

Barker is a known admirer of the player he worked with while manager of Bury, and while he refused to confirm or deny any Crawley offer he said: “I do know him well. He was Player of the Year while I was there and yes we did have an offer turned down last year.”

Crawley’s financial muscle has been further reduced, but when asked if the player - who has also been linked with several Championship clubs - was out of his price range, Barker said: “Not necessarily. What a club wants for a player is often some way away from what people are willing to pay and a player is only worth what someone is willing to offer.

“If he has been linked to Championship clubs it may be safe to assume he won’t want to play his football in League 2.

Barker is expected to complete his first new signing by the end of the week, although that player won’t be a full-back.

But following the departure this week of David Hunt, as well as Barker confirming Mustapha Dumbuya “won’t be coming back” the manager admitted he would need to find a replacement with no recognised right back now at the club.