Club react as Barnsley FC submit bid to sign 24-year-old winger | OneFootball

The Tykes fell short of the Robins' set asking price.

Barnsley have seen an offer for Cheltenham Town winger Jordan Thomas rejected by the League Two side.

The former non-league player's first full season in professional football has launched him into the minds of third tier clubs. The right-winger managed to accrue 10 direct goal contributions across 40 appearances for the Robins last season.

One of those interested League One outfits, Barnsley, have taken a particular liking to Thomas.

They submitted a bid to Cheltenham for the 24-year-old. However, according to Gloucestershire Live, the proposal has been rejected by Michael Flynn's side due to the fee not being substantial enough.

Cheltenham Town reject Barnsley bid for Jordan Thomas

The player only joined Cheltenham in January 2024 from non-league club Bath City for a fee of £5,000, as per Gloucestershire Live. If Thomas were to be sold before his contract expires next summer, Bath would reportedly be entitled to 15 per cent of the profits.

That contract includes a £250,000 release clause, but the local outlet has stated that the Tykes' offer fell comfortably short of meeting this mark. They are debating whether to return with an improved bid, as per Ben Jacobs.

Thomas has been tipped for big things already in his short professional career. Following links with Millwall, Blackpool and Hibernian, his manager said that he could be destined for the second tier. An imminent departure for the winger was predicted by Flynn prior to the end of the season, but, as things stand, Thomas remains a Town player.

"He could definitely get to the Championship and then it's down to what he does when he's there," said the Cheltenham boss, via Gloucestershire Live.

"He’s not going to break the bank and he’s a project, but he fits the criteria of what clubs are looking for at that level. He is left-footed, can play on both sides and also does a job at wing-back.

"It’ll be about how hard he works and how much he dedicates himself to it; you never know then. He's improved so quickly over a short period of time so you never know what he could do in 18 months or two years."

A player who can be that threat out wide is something that Barnsley are now slightly lacking. The loss of Stephen Humphrys, who joined Bradford City as a free agent, has left the Tykes a little bit short on options in these areas, so a relatively cheap move for Thomas makes total sense.

While Cheltenham may find themselves losing one of their star wingers to a League One club this summer, they are in talks with a player of a similar ilk who has experience at the level, according to Jon Palmer.

Barnsley's summer window is not moving in the best of directions

It's been far from the perfect summer for Hourihane, in what is his first transfer window as a head coach.

He tried to rectify his side's lack of wide attacking talent by signing free agent Josh Koroma. That deal looked to be all but done before it fell through due to last-minute attempts to change some details of the agreement, as per the Yorkshire Post. The 26-year-old went on to join Leyton Orient.

The addition of 37-year-old David McGoldrick is certainly a strong one that addresses a weak point in the team, as does the loan signing of goalkeeper Murphy Cooper, but there are still holes to fill, and more that could potentially open up.

They're facing continuous pressure from Wycombe Wanderers, who want to sign their captain - Luca Connell. The Chairboys have reportedly submitted a fourth bid for the former Celtic player.

Right now, it doesn't seem like they will have a squad that will be able to challenge the likes of Huddersfield Town, Luton Town and others for the top spots.