Cardiff City, Lincoln City and Portsmouth in battle to sign top-flight defender | OneFootball

Cardiff City, Lincoln City, and Portsmouth are in the race to sign Elfsborg defender Ibrahim Buhari

Lincoln City, Cardiff City, and Portsmouth are all vying to bolster their defensive options ahead of the 2026/27 Championship season.

The Imps and the Bluebirds successfully clinched automatic promotion from League One this term, whereas Pompey are preparing for their third successive second-tier season.

Lincoln defied expectations to win the League One title despite having one of the third tier's lowest budgets, whereas Cardiff were widely anticipated to land an immediate Championship return.

Meanwhile, Portsmouth successfully navigated their second-tier relegation battle, but will hope to enjoy a more comfortable campaign next term.

Portsmouth, Lincoln City, and Cardiff City eye Elfsborg star

Remarkably, Lincoln haven't lost a league fixture since 22 November, but their unbeaten record will be tested harder when they are in the Championship.

Cardiff also enjoyed a successful League One season, finishing second with 91 points, but they will have to strengthen their options to prepare for their second-tier return.

Pompey also have work to do in the summer transfer market to help them finish higher than 18th next term, while boss John Mousinho has called for more investment from owner Michael Eisner.

According to Swedish outlet Expressen, Cardiff, Lincoln, and Portsmouth have all made initial contact with Swedish top-flight side Elfsborg over signing defender Ibrahim Buhari.

He is on an expiring contract, meaning that the summer transfer window presents his current club with their last opportunity to cash in on his services.

The 24-year-old has made four appearances in the 2026 Allsvenskan season, recently making cameo outings in 1-1 draws with Mjallby and Hacken.

His only start so far this term came when Elfsborg drew 1-1 with Halmstads BK on 16 May, while his side sit fourth in the table after 10 games.

Buhari has made 76 appearances for the Allsvenskan outfit since joining from Nigerian club Plateau United in 2022, including the nine Europa League outings he made in 2024.

Lincoln City can make a statement of intent by signing Ibrahim Buhari

Buhari is an unknown quantity in English football, having only played in his native Nigeria before his move to Sweden four years ago.

However, winning the race for his services could be a real coup for Lincoln, as they prepare for an unlikely battle for Championship survival.

Few second-tier observers will give the Imps much chance of avoiding an immediate League One return, despite their historic title triumph.

But having been eyed by Cardiff, who have greater financial resources than Michael Skubala's men, and Portsmouth, who are a more established Championship club, Buhari is clearly talented.

Therefore, by winning the race for the 24-year-old's services, Lincoln would make a statement that they could be in the second tier to stay, rather than merely enjoying being in the division for the first time in 65 years.

The Imps' survival chances could also hinge on the future of Skubala, who has attracted external admirers for his League One heroics.

According to BBC Sport, Bristol City are interested in Skubala again, following their failure to appoint Bournemouth assistant Tommy Elphick.

Elphick is set to stay with the Cherries and serve as a member of incoming boss Marco Rose's coaching team.