Bobby Reid is open to a return to Bristol City but any transfer to bring the forward back to Ashton Gate from Cardiff remains complicated.
Bristol Live understands that Bristol City have long been aware of Reid's availability and the player would be happy to come back to BS3, just 12 months after being sold for £10m.
Lee Johnson and Neil Warnock have been in regular conversation over the summer regarding a number of subjects in the transfer window, including Reid, and the two managers have a good working relationship.
Reid made the controversial switch to Cardiff in 2018 due to the opportunity of playing in the Premier League and a substantial salary increase on his £4,000-a-week wage at City.
However, the 26-year-old made just 16 league starts and despite becoming a fan favourite among the Cardiff support has never really appeared to have had the full faith of manager Neil Warnock.
Indeed their relationship is said to be "professional" at best and with Cardiff soon to confirm the signing of Isaac Vassell from Birmingham City, it pushes him further down the pecking order.
With Vassell able to play in the No10 role and Callum Paterson Warnock's preferred choice when he returns to fitness, Reid is facing up to another season potentially as a second or third option.
But with Reid's prospects at the Cardiff City Stadium appearing increasingly uncertain , any deal to bring him back to City requires hurdles to be negotiated.
Firstly, the nature of the fee with Cardiff keen to recoup a large percentage of the £10m fee and his significant salary, believed to be in the region of £25,000 a week.
A loan switch with move to a permanent is an option, although Cardiff would prefer a permanent deal.
The above figures are sizeable but not unsurmountable and with the clock ticking and , they can be met.
There is also the consideration that another Championship club, believed to be Fulham, have also declared an interest in Reid and he and Joe Bryan remain close friends.
There is also the prospect of living in London and the fact the Cottagers are considered, as it stands, more likely automatic promotion contenders.
Reid has been a constant visitor back to Bristol since his move and remains in touch with many of the first-team squad and staff and would be a popular addition to the dressing room .
With the same head coach, a number of the coaching staff and teammates still at Ashton Gate, the idea that a player should "never go back" also doesn't ring true given the familiarity of the set-up he would return to.
