According to Cycling News sources, Geraint Thomas is close to signing a contract extension with the Ineos Grenadiers.

Meanwhile, Roger Hammond, currently the performance director of the Burleen Victorias, told Cycling News that he is "considering" a move to the Ineos Grenadiers in order to reunite with Rod Ellingworth.

Thomas' contract expires at the end of the season, but Cofidis and Qhubeka NextHash have expressed interest in the 2018 Tour de France winner. Cofidis director Cedric Vasseur later distanced himself from signing Thomas, but Qhubeka was always rumored to have offered Thomas a contract as negotiations with Ineos Grenadiers progressed. Due to a lack of major sponsorship, Qhubeka's viability beyond this year is still in question.

According to Rod Ellingworth, Ineos wanted Thomas to stay because of his rider qualities, pedigree, and "ambassador" status.

In August, Ellingworth admitted that Ineos would not be able to accept a huge offer from a rival team, telling Cycling News: "I would support him personally, especially after the difficult time he is going through, but I have talked to him and am It's ongoing. We need to be realistic

"There is quite a lot going on in terms of recruiting riders, not just for next year, but for the years after. There are several areas that need to be addressed."

Thomas has been up for grabs before, with Trek Segafredo showing significant interest a few years ago. This time, no American team was willing to make an offer.

According to a Cycling News source, as far as Thomas' new contract at Ineos Grenadiers is concerned, he is "just crossing I's and T's."

Thomas, 35, has been with the Ineos Grenadiers, formerly known as Team Sky, since the British team's first year in 2010.

The team signed a number of young players to long-term contracts for 2022, including Luke Plapp, Ben Truett, and Magnus Sheffield.

The team is also in the midst of a management shakeup, with head coach Tim Kerrison set to step down at the end of the year. A final decision has not yet been announced, but it is rumored that Dave Brailsford will take on a more central role at Ineos Sports and Ellingworth will assume more responsibility regarding the cycling team.

A management reshuffle could also bring in Hammond, who spent a year with Bahrain Victorious. The former professional rider has worked for several major teams and joined Bahrain shortly before Ellingworth returned to Ineos in early 2021.

Currently on vacation in Scotland, Hammond, who has not yet signed a contract, told Cyclingnews that he would choose between his existing team and an offer from Ineos.

"I haven't signed anything yet and I'm still mulling it over," Hammond said.

"In fact, I could afford to take some offers this year. The team is pretty successful and everyone wants to learn from different people on successful teams. I have a few options, and given the environment, this winter is a good place to be. But I'm still under contract, still talking, still mulling it over."