According to Gloucestershire Live, Sunderland are eyeing a deal for former Derby County winger Luke Thomas during the upcoming January transfer window.
The former England U20 international joined Barnsley from Derby in 2019.
The speedy winger has plenty of potential and shined during a loan spell at Coventry City in League One in 2018-19, prompting Barnsley to sign him for around £1.2 million.
Thomas, however, has struggled for regular game-time at Oakwell.
The 21-year-old has made just six Championship starts this term. And the latest reports claim both Sunderland and Oxford United are eyeing a potential January deal.
MORE DERBY STORIES
A move to either club could see Derby benefit. The Rams saw Thomas’s potential at Moor Farm, and it’s highly likely they negotiated a sell-on clause in his Barnsley deal.
Cheltenham Town similarly profited from the winger’s switch to Barnsley, netting a six-figure fee.
While Derby wouldn’t be expected to receive much, any incoming fee could allow a little more flexibility in the upcoming January transfer window.
The Rams remain in the Championship’s bottom three despite a six-game unbeaten run under interim manager Wayne Rooney. Some additions in January could make a telling difference.
Derby must look at a new striker and perhaps a creative central midfielder.
Sunderland, meanwhile, are struggling to make an impact in League One. Their poor start cost Phil Parkinson his job with Lee Johnson named as his successor.
The Black Cats are ninth in the table, six points adrift of league leaders Hull City.
Also see: Report: Boro hopeful of signing summer Derby target Warnock dubbed ‘unbelievable’
Also see: Trio reportedly line up January move for Derby ace following agent talk