Queens Park Rangers and Charlton Athletic are being linked with a swoop for Lincoln City striker Rob Street, for whom the club turned down a bid thought to be £1m this summer.
His hometown club, Oxford United, are also mentioned in a Sports Boom report on interest in him, and while it’s not an outlet that usually gets things right, it isn’t a surprise to hear of clubs taking a look at him.
The striker has scored in each of City’s last three victories, a sequence that has helped the Imps strengthen their position in the League One promotion race as the season moves into its decisive phase. He was my pick for Man of the Match against Blackpool after a goal and an assist, and in total, he has nine goals and three assists across all competitions.
The 24-year-old’s form has been a key factor in City’s strong campaign. He started the season playing wide in a front three, but after injuries to James Collins and now Freddie Draper, he’s dropped into his favoured number nine position. His goals have arrived during a period in which we have been building momentum at the top end of the division, and his recent scoring streak has further underlined his importance to the side during the run-in.
Interest from QPR and Charlton is understood to be partly influenced by his background in the south of England. Having grown up in Oxford and developed through the academy system at Crystal Palace, a move closer to home could appeal should interest develop into a concrete approach.
While Oxford United are also believed to be tracking his progress, they are said to be keeping a watching brief on the situation and any firm move would depend on their divisional status once the current season reaches its conclusion. They could swap places with the Imps this summer, having pipped them to a play off place two seasons back.
For now, City remain in a strong position regarding his future. The forward is under contract with the club until 2028 after committing his long-term future earlier in the campaign, part of a broader effort to secure key members of the squad as the Imps push towards promotion.
Is it likely?
First of all, of course, it is likely. We’re second in the division, and Street has six goal involvements in our last nine fixtures, including three goals in his last three outings. His profile is interesting – he’s deceptively quick, and works incredibly hard in the press. That would suit a middling Championship side looking to outwork slightly more illustrious opponents, as it has worked for the Imps this season.
The issue here is the source. A quick search of Sports Boom and Lincoln throws up the following stories – us tracking Millwall’s Shaun Hutchinson, Blackburn’s Jake Batty, and Swindon’s Aaron Drinan. They also have Doncaster after a permanent deal for Rob Street (again, olé olé), and Leicester after Michael Skubala. I’ll let you work out how many of those came off.
I’m not saying there isn’t interest in Rob Street, that would be insulting to a player who has thrived despite being shuffled around the team. I am saying that if or when he does eventually move, my guess would be these clubs won’t be the only ones keeping an eye on the situation.
The club believe heavily in Rob. Their extensive scouting and research uncovered a player who, at the time, hadn’t impressed supporters, and even during his tough early few months, the club always believed. They’re now reaping the rewards and a lot of supporters, me included, have been made to eat their words.
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