The Imps are one of two clubs showing serious interest in Blackburn Rovers youngster Jake Batty, reportedly competing with Rotherham United for his signature, as reported by SportsBoom.
The left-sided defender, who can play at full-back, wing-back or further forward, enjoyed a productive loan spell at Accrington Stanley last season and is now set for another temporary move.
Batty made 29 appearances in all competitions for Stanley and collected both the Players’ Young Player of the Season and Supporters’ Trust Young Player of the Season awards.
Delighted to sign a new deal🔵⚪️ Looking forward to a good year❤️ @Rovers pic.twitter.com/TqzBeepeOg
— Jake Batty (@jakebatty33) July 1, 2025
Jake Batty Career
Born in Liverpool, he progressed through the Blackburn academy and made his senior debut in 2022 in the EFL Cup against Hartlepool United. Despite his promise, he has yet to feature in the Championship, but remains highly regarded within the club and was offered a new one-year deal in July.
Blackburn are keen to see Batty gain more first-team experience, and a switch to the Imps could represent the perfect next step in his development. He would add competition and versatility to a squad that has already seen significant changes this summer, particularly in wide areas.
Batty’s attitude and ambition stand out. Speaking after his spell at Accrington, he reflected on the value of regular football:
“I had an alright year at Accrington and learnt a lot about men’s football. It was everything I needed really to get myself closer to Blackburn’s first team, fighting for points every week. We were down the bottom side of the table and every point meant everything to us. I learnt a lot about myself but also about the game, physically and mentally.
“You can’t have a lapse of concentration anywhere in the season or within the 90 minutes of a game because it can cost you points. I enjoyed getting myself out and the physical challenges. It has given me a massive confidence boost and it might be the thing that helps me push towards Blackburn’s first team or it might be another loan, who knows.”
His comments suggest a player grounded by the realities of the lower leagues and motivated by the challenge of breaking through. That mentality would make him a strong cultural fit for the Imps, whose recruitment for this summer is likely to focus on young, ambitious players with high potential, just like those who have moved on.
First season in men’s football❤️ thank you very much to the gaffer and Ged for having trust in me and giving me the opportunity to play for this club🔴⚪️ couldn’t of done it without support from the lads, fans and my family👊🏻 thank you very much @ASFCofficial pic.twitter.com/h16ewzn0iz
— Jake Batty (@jakebatty33) May 4, 2025
The Imps have only added two new faces over the summer, and with limited left-sided depth, Batty could provide a useful option in both defensive and attacking phases. His England Under-17 experience adds further pedigree, and the opportunity to develop in League One under Michael Skubala could appeal as the logical next step in his career.
Stacey West View
Jake Batty looks like the sort of player who could thrive in our environment. At just 20, he has already shown he can handle the demands of senior football, and his performances at Accrington suggest he is more than ready for the step up to League One.
His versatility down the left makes him a valuable option for the Imps, particularly in a fluid system that requires energy, tactical discipline and intelligent positioning from its wide defensive players. With a strong work ethic, proven adaptability and clear upward trajectory, he ticks every box for what we typically look for in a loan signing.
If we can beat Rotherham to his signature, it would represent the first steps towards plugging the holes left by Sean Roughan, Ethan Erhahon and Jovon Makama departing.