League One starlet wanted by Bolton Wanderers but Scottish giants could lure him away

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The summer transfer window isn’t open yet, but clubs are already circling those players who will be out of contract, and we can exclusively reveal that Bolton Wanderers are battling Hearts for a League One star.

Bolton may have finished eighth in the final League One table, but they were a massive ten points away from sixth-placed Leyton Orient in the play-off places.

It’s fair to say, then, that Wanderers need to recruit this summer if Steven Schumacher is to stand a chance of competing next season, especially with the likes of Plymouth Argyle, Luton Town, and Cardiff City dropping down from the Championship.

The Lancashire outfit already have one very specific target in mind, but in an EFL Analysis exclusive, we can reveal that Bolton will find it tough to land Lincoln City’s Sean Roughan.

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Sean Roughan could be heading for Scotland

EFL Analysis understands that Lincoln City will indeed have to face up to the reality of losing key defender Sean Roughan in the summer, with the 21-year-old out of contract next month.

Thankfully, with Roughan being under the age of 23, the Imps would be due compensation if and when he does sign for a new club.

While Bolton are keen on the Irishman, we have information from transfer expert Graeme Bailey to suggest that Hearts are rivalling the League One club for Roughan’s signature, and could well win the battle.

Hearts are poised to lose their own star man with James Penrice looking likely to head to England, with Southampton among the many clubs thought to be interested the 26-year-old, and they see Roughan as the ideal replacement.

The idea of a switch to the Scottish top flight is believed to be appealing for Roughan, but the problem for Lincoln is that any move across the border would see their compensation fee drop substantially.

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Sean Roughan’s 2024/25 campaign by the numbers

It will be a massive blow for Lincoln City to lose Sean Roughan this summer. The young full-back has been ever-present in their League One campaign, playing every minute of the 46 games, scoring one goal and providing three assists (plus another two assists in the EFL Trophy).

He’s also been versatile enough to fill in at centre-half as well as in his usual role on the left side of defence, and players like that are not easy to replace.

Obviously, the compensation Lincoln receive will help in that department, but a player like Roughan, who has so much potential still to fulfill, is almost priceless for League One clubs in many ways.