I’ve woken up this morning to City being linked with a striker, and one I mentioned in my recent look at who I thought might replace Justin Obikwu from the Championship.
At the start of the window, Jez George said we weren’t in for a striker, but Justin’s recall meant we did need someone, and this is Alfie Lloyd. He isn’t an exact like-for-like as he’s able to play pretty much anywhere across the front, while Justin was very much a number nine.
Fabrizio Romano (you know you’re massive when he reports your transfers) revealed that we are in talks with Sheffield United to sign Ryan Onè (who from here on in will be called ‘One’ for SEO purposes). The moment I saw this, I broke my usual rule and got a little excited.
Firstly, he’s been linked with other League One clubs, so if we did get him, it would be further validation of us being a big player at this level. Rotherham have certainly been interested, while a ‘lot’ of other League One clubs have been in for his signature. If he is coming to Lincoln, which is yet to become anything other than internet Twitter, it would be a major swoop for us.
Why? His Wikipedia numbers don’t tell the story. He only has five senior goals, four in 35 for Hamilton as they dropped from the Championship to League One. He then moved to the Blades for a ‘six-figure’ sum and made a single Premier League appearance. He’s now up to 22, with a Championship goal to his name, but his profile really fits us. He’s hard-working, and he can play across the front as well, and he’s left-footed, which would add some balance to our wide areas should he play there.
He’s a Scotland Under 21 international also, and while his output right now won’t keep the Wikipedia warriors happy, for some reason, this is one I like.
Is it a solid rumour? It has a reputable agent’s name attached to it, so possibly, but there are other clubs looking. I just think he would be a really solid capture to add depth and a bit of excitement to the front line for the next 19 games.
Also, an interesting fact (and I’ve been saving this one since I did that first article), his dad is Armand One, who once had a trial with us in 2004, I think, after leaving Partick Thistle, but he wasn’t successful.