Bolton Wanderers face additional competition from SPFL side Hearts in their attempts to sign an in demand League One star this summer.
Clubs are already beginning to announce their retained lists, with the League One section starting to fill up. However, many fans are waiting for the release of Lincoln City’s entry, with highly rated defender Sean Roughan expected to be amongst those on the list of departures.
The Irishman’s contract is set to expire this summer, but with his age and the length of time spent at Lincoln a compensation fee would have to be agreed to sign him expected to be in the high six figures. This can either be agreed between the two clubs, or sent to a tribunal where a fee will be set based on several parameters.
Bolton Wanderers had been revealed as an interested party in the race for the youngster, but now could face competition from north of the border.
Bolton Wanderers join Blackpool in Championship Transfer Battle
Hearts Join Bolton Wanderers in Race for Lincoln City’s Sean Roughan
The Imps are keen to keep hold of the 21-year-old and will have likely offered him a new contract to keep him at Sincil Bank. But the reality is they are unlikely to be able to retain his services into next season with interest mounting.
Hearts are the latest side to join the race, with the Scottish club likely to lose star player James Penrice this summer to England according to EFL Analysis.
Bad News for Lincoln City
The compensation fee that would be due for Sean Roughan will be calculated on a range of factors, but remaining in England and moving up the divisions would mean the maximum profit for the Imps. Moving to Hearts would mean a significant drop in potential income. Replacing a versatile young player of this ilk will likely cost a significant fee and to lose potential funds could harm their summer transfer business, especially with Paudie O’Connor likely to leave for nothing.