Blackburn Rovers are one of three Championship clubs rumoured to be interested in Lincoln City captain Paudie O’Connor.
With his current deal set to expire next summer, Football Insider suggests Championship sides Blackburn, Preston North End, and Oxford United are all monitoring the 27-year-old’s situation closely. O’Connor, who has had a strong start to the season, has emerged as one of the standout defenders in League One. Not only is he solid defensively, but his contributions going forward have also been impressive.
He has already scored two goals and provided two assists in six league appearances this campaign, showcasing his all-around value. As captain of Lincoln City, O’Connor has become a pivotal figure in Michael Skubala’s side, making 104 appearances since joining the Imps in 2022. His leadership has helped Lincoln climb to third in League One, putting them in the hunt for promotion.
As January approaches, it remains to be seen if Lincoln will entertain offers for their captain, or risk losing him on a free transfer next summer.
O’Connor began his career at Limerick in Ireland before moving to Leeds United in 2017. Though he didn’t break into the first team at Leeds, loan spells at Blackpool and Bradford City helped him develop and, in 2019, O’Connor moved to Bradford City permanently.
He became a key player in their defence, making over 100 appearances. His performances earned him a move to Lincoln City in 2022, where he has since grown into one of the league’s most respected centre-backs. His ability to contribute both defensively and offensively, along with his leadership, has made him a crucial player for Lincoln, who named him captain in 2023.
Site Opinion
The ongoing rumours linking Paudie O’Connor with a move to the Championship seem unlikely to hold much weight. It’s worth noting that similar stories from the same source, Football Insider, have circulated before with no outcome. Despite previous claims of imminent bids and interest from Championship clubs, nothing has ever materialised, suggesting that this may be more speculative than concrete.
Moreover, it seems odd that three separate clubs—Blackburn, Preston, and Oxford—would all be mentioned in the same report. Transfers, especially for key players like O’Connor, are typically handled with discretion to avoid unsettling the player or stirring up competition.
Given Lincoln’s strong start to the season and O’Connor’s importance to the team, it seems unlikely that this rumour will lead to anything significant. Instead, it feels like a story designed to generate traffic during a quiet period for transfer news.
Leave a Reply