West Bromwich Albion and Burnley are leading the race to sign Lincoln City’s highly-rated midfielder Ethan Erhahon, as reported by TBR.
The midfielder has attracted significant interest from Championship clubs following his impressive performances since joining Lincoln from St Mirren in 2023. Erhahon, a former Scotland Under-21 international, has quickly established himself as one of the best defensive midfielders in League One, with his stock rising due to standout performances this season.
Lincoln’s head coach, Michael Skubala, has openly admitted that keeping hold of Erhahon will be difficult with interest mounting from clubs in the Championship. Lincoln’s director of football, Jez George, echoed this sentiment earlier in the year, telling BBC Radio Lincolnshire, “I don’t think clubs in the Championship will be doing their jobs properly if there wasn’t interest. He has been exceptional.”
Erhahon’s strong start to the season has bolstered his reputation, and George has hinted that a record-breaking transfer could be on the cards for Lincoln. “I’d be amazed if Erhahon does not become the most expensive export in Lincoln’s history when the time comes to leave Sincil Bank,” George admitted.
While Lincoln would be reluctant to lose their star midfielder, George has made it clear that the club would not stand in his way if the right offer materialized. “It’s about career progression and the right club. If the right club comes in with the right financial package for Ethan that could be life-changing, quadrupling his wages, and it is an absolutely huge number for Lincoln City, then as a football club we have to look at that,” he added.
Interest in Erhahon has come from several Championship clubs, with West Brom and Burnley leading the charge. Both teams are fighting for Premier League promotion and are keen to strengthen their squads. Erhahon, who idolizes Manchester City’s Rodri, has spoken openly about his desire to develop his game and help his team control the midfield. “Rodri is not just one of the best defensive midfielders in the world, he’s one of the best players. You can see how important he is to Man City, and I want to replicate that at Lincoln,” Erhahon said in a recent interview with The Football League Paper.
Both West Brom and Burnley have gaps to fill in their midfield after losing key players in the summer. West Brom’s Okay Yokuslu returned to Turkey to rejoin Trabzonspor, while Burnley’s Sander Berge made a move to Fulham. With both clubs looking for reinforcements, Erhahon’s skill set makes him an ideal candidate to fill the void.
Meanwhile, Hull City and Norwich City have also expressed interest, but their underwhelming starts to the season may make them less attractive options for Erhahon. Hull, struggling in the bottom half of the table, and Norwich, enduring a tough spell after their recent relegation from the Premier League, may find it difficult to compete with the appeal of a promotion challenge at West Brom or Burnley.
Who is Ethan Erhahon?
Erhahon began his professional career at St Mirren, making his debut in 2018 at 17. Initially deployed as a left-back, Erhahon quickly transitioned into a central midfield role, where he has since excelled. His versatility and composure on the ball earned him significant playing time in his early years at the club.
Erhahon’s development continued at St Mirren, where he became a key player in the first team, making over 100 appearances across all competitions. His performances attracted attention beyond Scotland, particularly for his ability to break up play and distribute the ball effectively from deep midfield positions.
In 2023, Erhahon made the move to Lincoln City, a transfer that saw him turn down other, more lucrative deals, to join a club with a proven track record of developing players. Since joining the League One club, he has become a standout performer, earning praise for his tactical awareness and defensive contributions. Erhahon has also represented Scotland at the U21 level, further showcasing his potential on the international stage.
His consistent performances at Lincoln have attracted interest from Championship clubs, with many seeing him as a player capable of excelling at higher levels of competition.
Writer’s View
Losing Ethan Erhahon would be a blow for Lincoln City, but it seems increasingly inevitable given the interest from top Championship clubs like West Brom and Burnley. Erhahon’s standout performances this season have proven that he is more than capable of playing at a higher level, and the prospect of a move to a promotion-chasing side is an opportunity he deserves.
For Lincoln, while it would be disappointing to see their star midfielder depart, a record-breaking transfer fee would provide significant resources to reinvest in the squad. With the January transfer window approaching, the club could use the funds to strengthen in key areas and continue building towards their goals.
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