The Imps are closing in on a move for Sheffield Wednesday striker Bailey Cadamarteri, as reported by The Star.
News broke last week that we were eyeing a move for the 19-year-old striker, who is being sent out on loan for valuable game time by The Owls. He’s highly rated there and played a part in their survival last season, scoring three goals in December as they hauled themselves away from the foot of the table.
It’s understood a number of clubs in our division have been in contact with Cadamarteri, but it seems as though the Imps are moving ahead with a loan deal. He’s expected in Lincoln for a medical, according to reports, but the deal is not signed and sealed just yet. Journalist Joe Crann writes that ‘there are believed to be some finer details still to be sorted out before it is finalised and sanctioned.’
That means anyone refreshing their browsers today will likely be wasting their time, but it does seem as though we’ve beaten off the likes of Wrexham in our hunt for the player. This move won’t be about money – it will be about what is best for the player’s development, the right footballing fit, and that’s crucial.
Great first 20 weeks of senior football @Baileycadz showing your ability in front of goal ⚽️
4 league goals
+ 1 cup goal
– Anticipating a cut back
– Attacking a header (bravery)
– Volley on the move
– Anticipating loose ball
– 2nd BallProud of your efforts for @swfc 🤜🏾🤛🏼 pic.twitter.com/YJ7HYymCLa
— Danny Cadamarteri (@Dannycadz) March 31, 2024
One issue certain clubs have had is players going out on loan for more than their wages – Paul Warne highlighted this in an interview last week with Derby County. At Lincoln, we’re likely looking for the loans who are making footballing decisions, those who want to come here because of what we’re offering in terms of development, training and first-team minutes. In my opinion, if we get a striker of Cadamateri’s calibre, an England Under 19 with lots of Championship experience, we’re getting him because he, his agent and his club have bought into our offering.
There’s seemingly still some finer details to be ironed out and any deal is delicate with lots of moving parts. One has to wonder if those moving parts involve a player going out on loan – there’s been lots of speculation around this part of Lincolnshire that Freddie Draper is a big target for Grimsby Town. Could one in mean one out before the window shuts?
It’s Wednesday now, and I expect to spend more time around my keyboard over the next 48 hours or so than at any time over the last couple of months!