Report: Sunderland leading the race for winger Frank Lampard once described as ‘exciting’

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Sunderland are reportedly frontrunners to sign Luke Thomas this month, according to the Yorkshire Post.

The 21-year-old winger currently plays for Barnsley, but has largely had to make do with a substitute role this season.

Thomas has made 20 appearances in all competitions this term, including 18 in the Championship, but just seven of those were league starts.

Gloucestershire Live reported in December that the former England Under-20 ace was on the radar of Sunderland and Oxford United.

Now, the Yorkshire Post has claimed that the Black Cats are leading the race for the winger, who joined Barnsley from Derby in the summer of 2019.

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Just two-and-a-half years ago, Thomas was being tipped for success at Derby, with then manager Frank Lampard singing his praises after he penned a new contract at Pride Park.

“I’ve been really impressed with Luke from the start of pre-season and I think it was really important for us as club to get him, as an exciting young player, tied down on a long-term deal,” Lampard told the Derby Telegraph.

“He offers something very different for us and he showed his skill and speed on the ball during pre-season.  Luke knows there’s plenty of hard work ahead of him, as he continues to develop and improve, but he certainly has great potential to have a really good career in the game.”

Although he hasn’t necessarily done badly over the past few years, if Thomas was after a more established first-team role and regular starts, Sunderland could certainly offer him those.

And given Lee Johnson is after a left-footed player, the Barnsley ace – a left-footer with speed, skill and balance – would certainly be a great shout.