A loan move for Swansea City midfielder Jay Fulton may not be an option that suits the 27-year-old at this time according to Lancs Live, amid links to Championship rivals Barnsley and Blackpool.
The former Scotland youth international has found game time hard to come by this season following the arrival of Russell Martin, making just five Championship appearances during the 2021/22 campaign so far with the likes of Matt Grimes and Flynn Downes being preferred as starting options.
From starting in May's play-off final against Brentford, he is now no longer one of the first names on the teamsheet despite featuring heavily under former boss Steve Cooper and could be set for a move away because of that.
As per The Sun (16/1 paper edition; page 60), Barnsley and Blackpool are two sides that are reported to be interested in a loan move for the 27-year-old after seeing him compete at the top end of the table last term, with both sides arguably in need of more midfield reinforcements.
The Tykes are arguably still yet to fully replace their former captain Alex Mowatt following his move to West Bromwich Albion in the summer.
And Ryan Wintle's return to Cardiff City from his loan spell at Bloomfield Road earlier this month has also made a replacement a potential necessity for Neil Critchley's men.
However, a temporary switch to either side could be ruled out, with Lancs Live sources believing that may not be a preferred option for the midfielder as things currently stand.
The Verdict:
The Tykes and the Seasiders should be considering a potential permanent deal for the midfielder - because with Fulton looking as though he's surplus to requirements - there's definitely a cut-price deal to be done here.
Both will be reluctant to spend too much money considering their respective financial situations, with both not having the parachute money to take too many risks, but he would be a low-risk signing for either considering the experience he has at his disposal.
In terms of Barnsley though, they arguably need more of an attacking midfielder as opposed to someone who will shield the back three, because their lack of attacking threat without former skipper Mowatt is noticeable.
With someone like Mowatt alongside Fulton though, that could majorly boost their survival hopes so the South Yorkshire outfit's board should be looking at this deal with some serious consideration.
And in fairness to Fulton and this reported preference, he will want to settle down somewhere permanently at 27 with little chance of getting back into the starting lineup on a regular basis at the moment with Martin seemingly not fancying him.