Bristol Rovers are pushing to complete a permanent deal with Barnsley for Luke Thomas, Bristol Live understands.
Talks are ongoing over what could be a three-year agreement for the 23-year-old, who was part of Rovers' promotion-winning team last season. Thomas spent the season on loan with the Gas and featured prominently in the run-in as the Gas snatched a place in League Two's top three on the final day.
Thomas has a year remaining on his contract at Oakwell and has been involved in the Tykes' pre-season programme under Michael Duff, playing in the friendlies against Worksop and Crewe Alexandra.
But after a turbulent start, Thomas loved his time on loan with the Gas last season. Personal struggles saw a loan spell at Ipswich Town end early in 2021 and his stint at Rovers allowed Thomas to be closer to his Gloucestershire home.
There were clashes with Joey Barton over professionalism, but the manager's tough love reaped rewards in the long run with Thomas becoming a regular starter in the final games of the season. Both Barton and Thomas have invested heavily in each other and want to work together again.
Thomas made 32 appearances in all competitions for the Gas last season, scoring once and laying on five assists. Those numbers may seem underwhelming, but he was influential in big games and his playing style – a smooth left-footed ball carrier – makes him a point of difference and he can be deployed in any attacking role behind a striker.
Attacking midfield is an area of focus for the Gas this summer after the departure of Sam Nicholson and the expiration of Elliot Anderson and Thomas' loans. The latter's return would restore some depth and quality to a position that was a huge strength for Barton in their promotion campaign.
And there is a school of thought that Thomas could be better suited to the less physical and more tactical and technical arena that is League One. As a 19-year-old, he racked up four goals and five assists while on loan at Coventry City in the third tier.
Coupled with the fact his form is ascending after a difficult period on and off the pitch, Rovers are eager for the former Derby County and Cheltenham Town man to return.
The chances of a return for another former loan star, Luke McCormick, are small, however. The Dons want a fee in excess of £200,000 for a player who has two years left on his contract at Plough Lane.
And after the departure of prized asset Jack Rudoni to Huddersfield Town in a deal worth beyond £1million, Wimbledon will be increasingly resistant to letting another star player leave.
McCormick spent the year on loan from Chelsea in 2020/21, scoring six goals in 39 appearances for the Gas. He followed that with seven goals and nine assists in 49 games for Wimbledon after leaving Stamford Bridge permanently last summer.
The Gas have signed four players this summer, sealing a permanent deal for centre-back James Connolly after an impressive loan stint last season. Midfielder Jordan Rossiter, defender James Gibbons and striker John Marquis have also joined.
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