Lincoln City defender Lewis Montsma could be on the move before the January transfer window closes, with Shrewsbury Town weighing up a deal that would see him reunited with former Imps head coach Michael Appleton.
Reports emerging today suggest Shrewsbury are exploring defensive reinforcements, and Montsma is among the players under consideration as Appleton looks to address a fragile back line. Salop have struggled badly at the back in recent weeks, conceding heavily and sliding towards the bottom end of League Two, with the threat of a second successive relegation becoming increasingly real.
Appleton was the manager who brought Montsma to England, and was a big fan of the defender. Montsma’s lack of league involvement this season makes the speculation understandable. The Dutch defender has made just four senior appearances during the current campaign, all coming in cup competitions, and is yet to feature in a League One fixture. While there have been flashes of his old authority, most notably during the high-profile Carabao Cup tie against Chelsea in September, a consistent role has not followed.
That marks a long way from his early impact in a Lincoln shirt. Signed from FC Dordrecht in the summer of 2020, Montsma quickly became one of the most influential players at the club, scoring nine goals from centre back as City pushed all the way to the League One play-off final under Appleton. Comfortable stepping out with the ball and aggressive in both boxes, he was central to the way that side functioned.
The trajectory of his Lincoln career changed dramatically during the 2021-22 season. Two ACL injuries suffered in quick succession halted his progress and, despite returning to fitness, he has never quite been able to re-establish himself as a first-choice option. Since then, his involvement has been intermittent, shaped as much by circumstance as competition for places.
City have recently strengthened their defensive options, and with minutes likely to remain limited, if at all, for Montsma during the second half of the season, an exit would not come as a shock. For the player, regular football is the obvious priority, particularly at 27, when continuity matters more than reputation.
For Shrewsbury, the appeal is clear. Appleton knows exactly what Montsma can offer when fit and confident, having overseen the best spell of his career to date. In a side short on leadership and resilience, his experience and presence could prove valuable, even in a challenging environment. He would join former teammates Sam Clucas, John Marquis and Anthony Scully in Shropshire, as they hope to press on despite some challenging defeats, including the 5-1 hammering against MK Dons this weekend.