Sheffield Wednesday striker Bailey Cadamateri is nearing a Hillsborough exit, with Lincoln City thought to be close to securing his signature on a temporary basis.
The Star reports that the 19-year-old, who had a breakout season in 23/24, is close to moving to Michael Skubala’s side, with a medical expected in the coming hours. Journalist Joe Crann suggests there are still some minor formalities to tie up, but that a move to the LNER Stadium does now seem likely.
That’s a big blow to fellow League One outfit Wrexham, which has been pursuing the striker this summer. He was described as part of a ‘dream end‘ to the Red Dragons’ transfer window following a summer pursuit, with fellow Owl Michael Smith also linked with a switch to Wales.
At least one of those deals looks unlikely to happen, leaving Phil Parkinson scrabbling around with just 48 hours or so to go until the end of the transfer window. Despite their early lofty position in League One, Wrexham haven’t flexed their spending power quite as much as people suspected, and they’re now entering a period where clubs are reluctant to let forwards go.
Cadamarteri, the son of former Everton striker Danny, is set for his first spell away from Hillsborough after impressing last season. He was heavily involved in their battle for safety, impressing manager Danny Rohl. In December, he won the EFL Young Player of the Month award after starting every game, scoring three goals and getting one assist in the Championship.
The England Under 19 international now needs a spell away from the club, gaining first-team minutes, and Lincoln, who plays two strikers, is seen as a great destination for him to get time on the field. They’ve opened their campaign with two wins and a defeat, scoring eight goals in the process. They’re currently the leading scorers in League One, but six of their goals have come from defenders, with striker Ben House bagging the other two.
Cadamarteri could be included in their squad for the weekend’s fixture at Stevenage, if a deal is over the line by midday on Friday.
Writer’s View
This is a blow for Wrexham. League One clubs thrive on being able to attract young players, and Cadamarteri would have been a great pick. He’s going to a club for development and minutes, not money, which is the ‘right’ reason in a supporter’s eyes. Wrexham are seen very much as money men, but it feels like they’re trying to rebrand as a football side with development prospects for young players. Attracting Cadamarteri would have fitted into that,
Lincoln City might not seem like one of the division’s top clubs, but they’re cultivating something of a reputation for developing talent. Brennan Johnson, Morgan Rogers and Brooke Norton-Cuffy all got vital early minutes in their careers at Sincil Bank, while Lukas Jensen and Lasse Sorensen also secured big moves after their time at Lincoln. Other such success stories include Joe Taylor (loan), Anthony Scully, Harry Toffolo and Tayo Edun, all of whom used Lincoln as a platform for moves up the divisions, or to increase their reputation on loan.
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