And the Mercury understands that 27-year-old Canada international Hume is due to have a medical at Oakwell.
Barnsley manager Simon Davey is known to be a big favourite of Hume, as well as his sometime City strike partner Matty Fryatt.
A source close to the Championship club said: "Simon has made little secret of his admiration - he says Hume always plays well against him."
In fact, Hume scored the winner in the last meeting between the two clubs - City's 1-0 win in south Yorkshire back in April.
Hume, one of the most popular players at the Walkers Stadium, signed a three-year contract with City in June 2007 after finishing the 2006/07 campaign as the club's leading scorer with 14 league and cup goals.
Last season, he made 44 appearances, scoring 11 goals, but featured in an unfamiliar wide role under former manager Ian Holloway.
Hume joined City on transfer deadline day in August 2005 from Tranmere for £500,000.