EFL pundit Gab Sutton looks at potential signings across the leagues, and now he casts his eye on Lincoln City, as they prepare for second tier football for the first time since 1961.
Lincoln's early preparations for the forthcoming campaign were derailed by the ongoing saga involving former boss Michael Skubala, who departed Sincil Bank for Ashton Gate to become Bristol City's new head coach.
Tasked with finding Skubala's successor, the Imps opted to promote from within by naming Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw as joint head coaches, providing continuity for a squad that achieved 103 points last season.
While Lincoln stormed to the League One title last term, the club are aware of the need to enhance their squad ahead of a challenging season in the Championship. They've so far signed experienced defender Callum Elder and splashed a club-record fee on Romania international defender Andrei Coubis from Universitatea Cluj, but the Lincolnshire outfit will be in the market for further additions.
As the new campaign nears, our man Gab Sutton picks out five signings Lincoln could make between now and the end of the transfer window.
Five players Lincon City could sign this summer
Jamie McDonnell
Jamie McDonnell has had a wonderful start to his senior career, with spectacular loans at Colchester and Mansfield in League Two and League One respectively, prior to a permanent move from Nottingham Forest to Oxford in January.
The Yellows, however, went down with plenty of off-field problems, and could be open to selling at the right price.
McDonnell covers every blade of grass, he snaps into tackles and has a fantastic spring at 6’0”, giving him great potential to play for Northern Ireland at international level.
The Imps need more midfield depth, and McDonnell would offer excellent competition for Conor McGrandles, or partner him in certain games when they need a more conservative comrade than the more forward-thinking Ivan Varfolomeev.
Richard O'Donnell
Lincoln City’s goalkeeping department calls for a veteran, safe pair of hands who won’t expect to play much, and is happy to sit on the sidelines, cheer on and mentor a young goalkeeper on the cusp of an exciting career.
The 1st-choice spot is taken for the foreseeable future, with George Wickens having committed for the campaign by signing a new contract, and, if he goes for big money next summer, there’s a good chance Zach Jeacock will be ready to step up after his loan at Northampton.
O’Donnell would likely be third-choice ‘keeper at Derby this season, behind Jacob Widell Zetterstrom and Josh Vickers, whereas at Lincoln he might get some cup games.
Vimal Yoganathan
Vimal Yoganathan enjoyed a wonderful 2024-25 loan at Oldham, where he helped Micky Mellon’s side win promotion from the National League thanks to some inspired pressing performances in the Play-Offs.
The Wales Under-21 international has a decent frame at 6’3”, making him a viable secondary reference point, which could be ideal if Lincoln play direct with a striker in Rob Street who isn’t amazing in the air.
Yoganathan has bags of energy, he can hassle and harry but he can also drive forward with the ball and beat players, which could translate really nicely to City’s transitional style.
Plus, the 20-year-old could play in the number 10 role, with Jack Moylan possibly shifting wider, but he could also compete for one of the two spots in midfield with McGrandles, Varfolomeev, and the role for which we’ve suggested McDonnell.
Junior Nkeng
Nkeng has demonstrated fantastic talent coming through the AFC Wimbledon academy, and has had a point to prove after his release by Tottenham.
As a youngster who’d initially wanted to be a goalkeeper, who played as a number nine at Spurs with some joy, prefers playing as a left winger but has played everywhere across the three positions behind a striker, as well as at wing-back, the 18-year-old is extremely versatile.
5’10”, Nkeng is very agile with rapid pace, but is extremely coachable and always looking to absorb new ideas.
Nkeng could be one for the Imps to invest in this summer, sign him on a three-plus-one deal, maybe loan him out for a year in League Two, and then bring him into the fold next summer when they could have a major asset ready to cook.
Aribim Pepple
Lincoln’s current centre-forward options comprise, firstly, of Rob Street, who is an excellent finisher with an insatiable work ethic, but it’s less clear whether he can be a reliable focal point at this level, in terms of the physical side of the game.
Secondly, of James Collins, who is injured until January and may not feature, and thirdly of Freddie Draper, who will bring value to the squad but is unlikely to be a regular start.
As such, the Imps could do with a great physical specimen who can win aerial duels, hold the ball up and press for 90 minutes, as well as contribute goals.
Pepple can do that, after an excellent second half of last season with Plymouth Argyle, and at 23 still has lots of development in him.
Argyle are a big club, they won’t sell cheaply and landing Pepple would mean pushing the boat out, but the right centre-forward could be the difference between staying up and going down.
