A deal for Sheffield United attacker Ryan Oné appears imminent, with some reports suggesting a medical has already been completed.
Oné was a transfer window target for Rotherham United and was even linked with a big-money move to Liverpool a little over a year ago. Last night, he was spotted in the 200 Club, watching on as the Imps easily brushed aside Bradford City to strengthen our position in the automatic promotion places.
Sorry, but even writing that feels surreal. Lincoln City in the automatic promotion places. Madness.
Anyway, Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph reported that Oné has now completed a medical with a view to a loan move, meaning we have stolen ahead of a number of other clubs in our division. We’re used to doing it on the pitch, but it seems we’re now able to do it when signing players as well.
Oné is a player I would be quite excited about, which is usually a kiss of death. His goals tally on Wikipedia might not look outstanding, but as Imps fans know, it’s all about putting together an effective, working unit. None of our strikers are in double figures, but only two teams in the division have scored more than us, which tells a tale.
The former Hamilton Academicals man caught my eye earlier in the season when looking over players who might fit our profile. He’s a worker; he runs hard and has a good physical profile. He’s also got great talent, good technique, and he’s one that the Blades have big hopes for in the future. He needs regular games, and we do need depth in those wide areas, given Oscar Thorn’s absence, and Frankie Okoronkwo leaving.
The fact Oné can also play centrally is a bonus, and with a few of the big Saturday/Tuesday clashes (Exeter and Cardiff, Bolton and Northampton, Stockport and Huddersfield Town) coming up, we just need fresh legs to keep our high-intensity game plan on track.
Oné is also a Scotland Under-21 international, scoring once for them against Gibraltar, and was once a target for Brighton and Hove Albion. There is no doubt he is a huge talent, highly rated across the football world, and last night, he sat on, watching a side slick in its execution of a game plan which he would fit perfectly into.
Exciting times down at Sincil Bank.