The Imps have been linked with a move for Swedish prospect Erik Ring this week, but fans shouldn’t get too excited just yet.
While it appears a deal is close, a major AIK figure has been speaking about the situation to Swedish outlet Fotbollskanalen, confirming that things are not cut and dried.
We believe that Ring has already been to Lincoln and a deal is close, but in the interview, AIK’s sporting director Thomas Berntsen confirmed it is far from done, explaining how there is a contract offer on the table for Ring if he wishes to remain in Stockholm.
“It can happen,” said Berntsen, of a move to ‘an English club’ we understand to be the Imps. “If he wants to go to England, we will try to reach an agreement with that club. If he doesn’t want to go there, he is most welcome to extend his contract.”
The ball is seemingly in the player’s court, as Berntsen reveals. That puts a slightly longer timeline on a possible deal, although AIK are not putting barriers up around a move.
“I have asked him to think about it for a few days yesterday and so we have a dialogue with the club in England as well. If Erik comes to me and says he wants to travel, he should be allowed to do so,”
One thing is for certain – if he moves, it will be abroad. It sounds as if they’d like to keep the 22-year-old at the Strawberry Arena, despite slightly limited game time in the current season.
“He will never play for another Swedish club regardless (in the future). He will return to AIK. We are very happy to have him here. We prefer to see him extend, but if he wants something else, he deserves to be listened to.”
It’s interesting to have found this interview, as it seems to confirm the report from the other day that Ring is in talks with us, but that there’s still a decision to be made by the player.
The former Sweden Under 21 international has appeared in AIK’s last three matches, coming off at halftime as they lost 1-0 to GAIS and then coming off the bench in wins against Vasteras in early August, and Mjalby, which took place on Sunday.
He has been on the fringes of the AIK side this season but impressed in the second tier last season, scoring six goals for Helsingborg and providing an assist.