Lincoln City Face Championship Side in Race for 25-year-old

Lincoln City are in a race with Championship newbies Oxford United to sign Blackpool’s Jordan Gabriel.

The Imps were reported to be plotting a summer move for the full-back as early as March, but now face competition for his signature from the division above.

The 25-year-old’s contract expires at the end of next season, with both interested clubs believed to be looking to sign him on a cut-price deal.

Lincoln City Looking for Lasse Sorensen Replacement:

Lincoln City have sold fan-favourite wing-back Lasse Sorensen to fellow SkyBet League One outfit Huddersfield Town, for a deal worth up to a reported £500,000.

Former Nottingham Forest youngster Gabriel was believed to be of interest to the Imps in March by Alan Nixon (on his Patreon account – paywall). The journalist has now revealed that Oxford have joined the race for his signature.

Promoted Oxford United:

Oxford United won the play-offs last season, easing past Bolton Wanderers in the Wembley Stadium final thanks to a Josh Murphy brace.

Des Buckingham’s side have already added now-former Sheffield Wednesday man Will Vaulks, at the end of his contract at Hillsborough, ahead of their Championship return.

League One and Championship Experience:

The right-back made 21 League One appearances last season, scoring twice along the way. He played in seven further cup games.

Gabriel netted strikes against both League Two Forest Green Rovers and Premier League Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup, as he played in a more advanced role on the right.

He was originally loaned out to Blackpool in their promotion-winning campaign, before making a permanent move to Bloomfield Road in the summer of 2021.

The ex-Scunthorpe United loanee spent two seasons in the second tier with Blackpool, after the Tangerines beat Lincoln City in the 2020/21 League One play-off final.

A Good Move for Both – Opinion

Everyone loves a cut-price deal, and with Jordan Gabriel’s contract set to expire next summer, he could leave Blackpool for a fee this summer instead.

Lincoln City know just what it’s like to sell someone with one year left on their contract, as they did with Sorensen this summer. Gabriel would be a great replacement for the Dane, just like he would be a good addition to Championship Oxford.