Shrewsbury Town have joined Burton Albion in the race for Wolves defender Dexter Lembikisa, as reported by Darren Witcoop.
The 19-year-old is currently at Premier League side Wolves and is now an international player after making his debut for the Jamaican national team in March.
Earlier this month, Darren Witcoop reported that Port Vale and Burton Albion were both keen on the full-back, with Wolves prepared to let the defender leave on loan this summer. And now, the Shrews have reportedly also joined the race to bring the young Jamaican international in on loan.
Shrewsbury are currently without a manager for next season after the departure of Steve Cotterill this month, with the club reportedly set to appoint his replacement soon, with new director of football Micky Moore saying he hopes to name by the middle of next week.
Yesterday the Shropshire Star reported that the Shrews were interested in two other players from the Molineux, with the club reportedly considering moves for Alfie Pond and Nathan Fraser this summer.
Pond joined Wolves from Exeter City on a five-year contract last summer and has experience at a National League level during a short loan spell with Yeovil Town, before returning to Wolves in January. Fraser is the opposite however, with the powerful striker coming through the youth ranks at the Molineux. Last season, he featured for the under-21 side 23 times, scoring seven goals and providing two assists throughout that stint. The striker also featured against the Shrews back in August in the EFL Trophy, starting the game for Wolves at the Meadow.
Lembikisa has also come through the ranks at Molineux and put pen to paper on his first professional contract in 2021. He made his first-team debut for the side in a Carabao Cup fixture against Leeds in November 2022, he has been a part of various youth team set-ups over the years, as well as making five further appearances for the senior side since that cup debut, but now he appears ready to seek opportunities with first-team football.
It is unclear what type of moves the club is seeking for Pond and Fraser, whether or not they are permanent or loan switches, however, any move Lembikisa would make is most likely to be permanent as the Shrews join the chase.
Writer’s View
The young defender has made starts for Wolves already and if he has five appearances at senior level at just 19 years of age, it is clear there is some potential to be unlocked within him. However, the club are going to have to give him first-team opportunities for that to happen, a loan move is best for him and the Shrews are going to have to beat Burton off the pitch this time like they did in both fixtures on the pitch last season.
All the players mentioned are highly thought of at the Wolves so I doubt Shrewsbury have anywhere near the finance’s to by any of them permanent.