Lincoln City face Zane Okoro exit threat - Premier League move possible | OneFootball

Premier League and Championship clubs are showing an interest in Lincoln City's Zane Okoro.

According to reports, there are multiple Premier League and Championship clubs interested in signing highly-rated Lincoln City youngster Zane Okoro.

That's according to Football Insider's Pete O'Rourke via X, who reported that unnamed clubs from the top two divisions of English football are monitoring the 17-year-old's situation at Sincil Bank.

Okoro is out of contract with the Imps this summer, but talks between the two parties remain in progress as Michael Skubala looks to tie the American-born forward down to a new contract.

The attacker has been a key player for Lincoln's under-18s side, which saw him receive multiple first-team call-ups throughout 2024/25.

Okoro was also on trial with Premier League outfit AFC Bournemouth earlier in the season, but has returned to Lincolnshire where he made his EFL debut in April.

Premier League and Championship clubs eyeing Lincoln City's Zane Okoro

Despite a ball not being kicked in anger over the summer months, it's often one of the busiest times of the year for all 92 Premier League and EFL clubs, as there are plenty of out-of-contract players to eye up.

Much to the disappointment of Lincoln, their young prodigy, Okoro, is one of those players who is reportedly being looked at by teams higher up the English footballing pyramid.

The Connecticut-born attacker will become a free agent in just over a month's time if he and the Imps are unable to agree terms to lock him down to a new contract.

This has seen unnamed Premier League and Championship clubs keep a beady eye on the unfolding situation with Okoro, according to O'Rourke, as they look to potentially tempt the teenager away from the League One club.

Lincoln still remain in talks with Okoro regarding a new deal, but it's currently unclear whether the 17-year-old will remain at Sincil Bank next season, or pursue a new opportunity elsewhere.

Okoro may be best off staying at Lincoln

Whilst it's very easy for a youngster to be dazzled by a big offer from the Premier League or Championship, Okoro already has a good thing going at his current club.

As mentioned, Skubala has given the teenager plenty of opportunities in the first-team. He made his senior debut against Chesham United in the FA Cup in November, and has since gone on to make his EFL Trophy and League One debuts.

The versatile attacker will likely have his eye on first-team football next season, and staying with the Imps might be his best shot at gaining regular minutes in a senior side.

Okoro already knows that his current manager isn't afraid to trust him in the league squad, and if he continues to impress in training, then he'll have a great shot at regular first-team minutes.

The reported interest from the Premier League and Championship will undoubtedly be an interesting prospect for the American, but looking at the immediate future, his best bet might well be to stay put at Lincoln, where he can look to gain more regular minutes in League One next season.