Barnsley are hoping to bring back Ashley Fletcher for a second loan spell, but both their head coach and chief executive say they are a long way off finalising a deal.
Fletcher, 21, scored in both Wembley finals on loan from Manchester United in 2016 as Heckingbottom's Reds won both the Johnstone's Paint Trophy and League One final.
He moved from Old Trafford to West Ham United last summer but only started twice for the Hammers' Premier League team and could be available for loan.
Chief executive Gauthier Ganaye told the Chronicle: "Ashley Fletcher is on our list but we don't know whether we can sign him yet. West Ham need to decide if they will let him go or keep him for next season.
"I am sure, if he is available for loan, a lot of Championship clubs would want to sign him but he has a connection with Barnsley and that is something we would definitely look at if we could."
Head coach Paul Heckingbottom added: "We know Ashley and he knows the club but it's out of our hands at the moment.
"Everyone knows we are short of strikers. We need pace and goals in the team. I have been pushing for front players for a while and I will keep doing that."
