Huddersfield Town must hope for Sorba Thomas, Nantes success for two main reasons: View | OneFootball

The Terriers will be keeping a close eye on their winger's spell in France

It has already been something of a summer of change at Huddersfield Town in the current transfer window.

Following the Terriers' relegation from the Championship to League One at the end of last season, there has been something of a turnover in the first-team squad.

So far this summer, there have been four new additions to the senior side at The John Smith's Stadium, as well as the appointment of Michael Duff as the club's new manager.

By contrast, six players have left Huddersfield, and it now looks as though another could soon be on the way out, in the form of Sorba Thomas.

Terriers man set for France loan move

Despite the club's relegation, Thomas enjoyed an impressive individual campaign in the Championship last season.

That has led to speculation about his future this summer with the club now in League One, and it seems it could now prompt a move away from the John Smith's Stadium for the winger.

According to recent reports from L'Equipe, Thomas is set to join Ligue 1 side Nantes on loan for the 2024/25 campaign.

It is thought that Huddersfield have reached an agreement on terms with the French club, and that the 25-year-old will soon complete his move.

With this switch, Thomas will get the chance to play outside the UK, and in top-flight football, for the first time in his career.

Of course, how he fares at Nantes is not going to directly affect how things go for Huddersfield in the coming campaign.

But even so, there is still an argument that those at the John Smith's Stadium should be hoping that the winger enjoys a successful spell, during his time in France.

Huddersfield Town need Sorba Thomas to succeed in France

As things stand, there are two years remaining on Thomas' current contract with the Terriers, securing his future at the club until the end of the 2025/26 season.

That of course, means he will be entering the final year of his deal with Huddersfield next summer, when his loan spell with Nantes comes to an end.

At that point, the club will be in a position where it is their last chance to cash in on Thomas, before they find themselves at risk of losing him for nothing in the summer of 2026.

Losing a player of the Wales international's talents for nothing would be disappointing for the Terriers, given he has shown he has the ability to be a valuable asset.

Indeed, reports had suggested that the winger could have been sold for a fee of around £1million this summer, so it would be a blow to miss out on that price if he leaves for free in the future.

Should Thomas be able to impress in the French top-flight while on loan there, it could attract attention in him, ahead of the 2025 summer transfer window.

That could prompt clubs to make offers for the winger, that allow Huddersfield to get a decent return on their investment, in a player who on top form, is certainly worth a significant fee.

Alternatively, if the Terriers were to return to the Championship next season, then Thomas showed last season how useful he can be at that level.

A successful season with Nantes could also give him the confidence and momentum needed to push on that help Huddersfield re-establish themselves at that level, if he is not sold in 2025.

By contrast, if things do not work out for the 25-year-old during his time in France, then things may become more concerning for Huddersfield in terms of his situation.

Should Thomas fail to show his top form while on loan at Nantes, it is going to be harder for teams to be able to justify paying a fee for him on a permanent deal in the summer of 2025.

That would then leave Huddersfield with a player in the final 12 months of his contract, but perhaps not in a position where teams will feel he is worth paying a fee for at that point, if he has not shown what he can do at the highest level.

In that scenario, the Terriers would be at risk of losing him for nothing in the summer of 2026, despite the fact there have been points during his time with the club, where it seemed as though he might have been capable of bringing in a solid fee for his services.

There would then also be questions about just what sort of impact Thomas might be able to make at The John Smith's Stadium next season, either in the Championship or League One.