Lincoln City latest: Lukas Jensen/Millwall, Lewis Montsma claim, Jordan Gabriel boost | OneFootball

FLW rounds up the recent news concerning Lincoln City

Lincoln City are preparing for their first full season under the management of Michael Skubala.

The 41-year-old who took charge at the LNER Stadium last November oversaw a drastic shift in momentum which almost guided the Imps to a play-off place for the second time in four seasons, before eventually finishing two points behind Barnsley in sixth place.

With League One becoming even more competitive next season through the relegations of Birmingham City, Huddersfield Town, and Rotherham United and the promotions of Wrexham, Stockport County, and Mansfield Town in particular, Skubala has already made some shrewd transfers in the window, which include the experience of Tendayi Darikwa, Tom Bayliss and Conor McGrandles.

More movement will no doubt be expected between now and the beginning of the season in a month's time, so with that being said, Football League World rounds up the recent news concerning Lincoln City.

One piece of potential transfer business that will concern Lincoln supporters is that goalkeeper Lukas Jensen has been linked with a move to Championship outfit Millwall.

That's through a report from the South London Press, who state that Neil Harris' men have increased their interest in the Danish shot-stopper.

The second tier outfit are extremely limited on goalkeeping options at present following the tragic passing of Matija Sarkic last month and Bartosz Bialkowski's exit following the expiration of his contract at The Den.

Meanwhile, the only current keeper on the club's books, Connal Trueman, has since sustained an ankle issue, leaving Millwall with no options between the sticks at this moment in time.

Jensen has earned significant praise throughout his time at City, which saw him accumulate the second-highest clean sheets total in League One last term behind Derby's Joe Wildsmith, with a figure of 19, as well as being named City's Player of the Season.

The 25-year-old is also currently out of contract next summer, which means this summer window is one of two current opportunities for Lincoln to make a profit on the man who joined from Burnley on a two-year deal last June.

Centre-back Lewis Montsma had previously been a mainstay in the Lincoln defence since his arrival on a free transfer under Michael Appleton in the summer of 2020.

However, the sustaining of two anterior cruciate ligament injuries put the 26-year-old's future with the club in serious jeopardy, with his last appearance for the club coming on March 25th 2023 in a 2-1 away defeat to Fleetwood Town.

This came after the defender missed the first six months of the same season through another ACL problem, with him since being sidelined to the treatment room.

However, the Dutchman has agreed fresh terms with the club as he nears a return to training, penning a six-month contract.

Reacting to the developments, Montsma said: ”Lincoln feels like home and I’m very happy we could agree something."

“The support of the club has been brilliant and it works both ways - they know what I can do and how hard I work, and they’ve put a lot of trust in me. There’s no better place to get back to my levels than here at Lincoln City," he added.

The club's Director of Football, Jez George, also gave his verdict on the news, saying that Montsma's qualities as a player aren't the main priority at present.

“This is the right thing to do for Lewis. We are looking after Lewis as a person first and foremost. That is our driver. We also know the quality of Lewis as a player but that will be a consideration later. "

Lincoln City handed potential boost in Jordan Gabriel transfer tussle

Alongside the aforementioned transfer dealings which bring further League One experience into the squad, Lincoln are also pursuing a move for Blackpool's Jordan Gabriel.

It was initially reported on June 27th that Championship new boys Oxford United had joined Lincoln in the race to acquire the 25-year-old, with Lincoln also seeing Lasse Sorensen depart to Huddersfield earlier in the window.

Gabriel is out of contract next summer after making over 100 appearances for the Lancashire outfit to date, but the Imps could have been handed a route towards his signature after a development last weekend.

That's because Alan Nixon has revealed that Oxford have seen a "low-ball" bid rejected by the Seasiders, of which the figure hasn't been disclosed, which could offer Lincoln the chance to swoop if a deal for the right price can be agreed.