Ethan Erhahon features: How Lincoln City’s perfect summer transfer window would look | OneFootball

Lincoln City’s summer has been far from ideal so far, with Sean Roughan already moving on.

Lincoln City’s summer has been far from ideal so far, with Sean Roughan already moving on.

The Irish left-sided defender has switched the Imps for Huddersfield Town, while Lincoln received a kickback in terms of compensation as he is under 24.

Captain Paudie O’Connor is now set to follow his compatriot out of the LNER Stadium, and focus can turn to finding replacements for the two key out-of-contract stars.

There is a lot of work to do for Lincoln to steady the ship and put themselves in a position where they can once again punch above their financial weight and challenge the top half of the Sky Bet League One table.

Here, we are exploring what something of a perfect summer transfer window could look like:

Keep: Ethan Erhahon

Scottish midfielder Ethan Erhahon is continually linked with a big-money move away from Lincoln.

The 24-year-old, who joined the Imps two-and-a-half years ago from St. Mirren has been the centre of reported attention for Sky Bet Championship outfit Swansea City.

Lincoln director of football Jez George has made it clear that there is a fee for which Erhahon would leave this summer. If a club comes in and makes that offer, then City would need to find a replacement for their 107-appearance man.

However, with Roughan already gone and O’Connor soon to follow, keeping Erhahon is important in being able to keep continuity into Michael Skubala’s second full season in charge. Losing Erhahon would constitute a spine of the team needing to be replaced, which could potentially rock the boat and put things off balance ahead of the new term.

Sign: Akil Wright

As mentioned, Imps captain O’Connor is set for his exit from Sincil Bank at the end of his contract. Having signed from Bradford City, the Irishman has made a career for himself in Lincoln colours.

He is a sturdy centre-back, one of the most consistent performers in League One, strong in the air and in battles with opposing attackers. He is the perfect mix, and if the move to Reading becomes a reality, then the Imps must move quickly to secure a worthy replacement.

That would immediately become the biggest task of the summer, with his on-field quality and off-field impact needing to be replenished by another recruit.

One centre-back who would be a worthy replacement is former Stockport County and York City man Akil Wright. The 29-year-old is now at Scottish side Ross County with time left on his contract, but would be a strong O'Connor replacement if he was to return to England after making 45 appearances in the 2024/25 campaign.

Sign: Josh Honohan

Another place that Lincoln and Skubala needs to secure reinforcements is at left-back. With Roughan (pictured) moving to Huddersfield, his spot on the left has been left vacant.

Shamrock Rovers left-back Josh Honohan would be one figure in particular that could provide a strong replacement, with the 24-year-old making a name for himself since switching to one of the Republic of Ireland’s best sides.

He is a well-rounded defender, according to Irish football expert Bill Gaine, marrying attacking intent with quality in his defensive duties. It would be a difficult deal to strike should Lincoln look to make it though, with the English second tier a more likely landing place for Honohan if he moves on from Dublin.

Sign: Brandon Khela

Football League World has revealed that Lincoln are one of two teams looking to sign Birmingham central midfielder Brandon Khela.

Reportedly battling alongside Steve Bruce’s Blackpool, the Imps would set themselves on the way to having a great summer transfer window if they are able to secure the services of the young ex-Bradford City loanee.

Khela, now 20 years old, impressed in the final stretch of the season, which saw the Bantams promoted out of League Two, and is a player with plenty of upside due to his age.

Former Premier League midfielder Sam Clucas has exited Lincoln, with a spot in the centre of the park opening up for a player like Khela to fill. Out of the potential options, the Birmingham man would greatly boost the Imps ranks with a long career ahead of him.