Barnsley and Lincoln City chasing Swansea City transfer deal - it could shake up League One promotion race | OneFootball

Bobby Wales has struggled for game time since arriving from Kilmarnock in the summer

Promotion-chasing League One duo, Lincoln City and Barnsley, are interested in landing Swansea City striker Bobby Wales once the January transfer window rolls around.

Per a report from Graeme Bailey, the Imps and the Tykes are among a "host of clubs" in the third tier who are hopeful of bringing the 20-year-old to their clubs in January.

The Scottish U19 international racked up 32 appearances in the Scottish Premiership for Kilmarnock as a teenager, earning his move to Swansea, but he's struggled for minutes in Alan Sheehan's side so far this season.

And with sides looking for that added attacking boost mid-season to help them consolidate a play-off position, it's no surprise that the exciting, but out-of-favour, attacker is being considered by both Michael Skubala and Conor Hourihane this upcoming January.

Lincoln City and Barnsley express interest in Swansea City's Bobby Wales

Greame Bailey has revealed on X that several League One clubs want to bring Wales to the third tier this January, naming Lincoln and Barnsley as two sides who are "keen to land him."

After breaking into the Kilmarnock fold last season as a teenager, scoring three times in 28 SPL appearances and winning the club's Young Player of the Year, he had piqued the interest of the Welsh side, who paid a compensation fee of £300,000 to bring him in on a four-year deal.

However, despite scoring and assisting off the bench on his debut in the Swans' EFL Cup first round win over Crawley Town, the 20-year-old has featured just once in the Championship as an injury-time substitute against Sheffield United in August.

With Zan Vipotnik, Liam Cullen and Adam Idah all forming a competitive striker position at the Swansea.com Stadium, it's been difficult for the young attacker to break into the side, and a loan move in January may be wise to ensure that his progression isn't stunted.

Bobby Wales could make a big impact in League One

Wales made over 50 appearances in senior football as a teenager in Scotland, and there will be expectations that he needs to continue playing to grow.

A League One loan move seems to be the best option, and a move to a side on the fringes of the play-offs could see him hit the ground running at a good side and provide that extra boost needed to maintain a top-six charge.

It's arguable that both the linked sides, Lincoln and Barnsley, have sufficient attacking quality amongst their ranks. James Collins is a notorious EFL goalscorer in Michael Skubala's ranks, whilst Conor Hourihane has the likes of David McGoldrick and Davis Keillor-Dunn to rely on.

However, quality attacking depth through the latter parts of the season is a must, and both sides would be smart to look at the fringe players of Championship clubs to provide that.

If Wales is to join a top-end League One side — be it Barnsley, Lincoln or elsewhere — his arrival could shake up this season's race for promotion to the Championship, which already promises to be a typically-exciting one.