Lincoln City are tracking Sheffield Wednesday youngster Joe Emery ahead of the summer, with the defender’s contract situation placing him firmly on the Imps’ radar, according to Football Insider.
They’re all coming out today, aren’t they? Firstly, SportsBoom, and now Pete O’Rourke at Football Insider. We just need Nixon to make it a hat trick. Anyway, the 19-year-old centre-back is attracting attention as City prepare for life in the Championship, with recruitment already underway following promotion.
Sources indicate that City are assessing defensive options ahead of the step up to the second tier, and Emery fits the profile of a player with development potential who could grow within the system already in place at the Bank.
The teenager made limited senior appearances during the 2025/26 campaign, featuring seven times in all competitions, but remains highly regarded internally at Hillsborough. Standing at 6ft 1in and operating as a central defender, he has been viewed as one of the more promising prospects to emerge from Wednesday’s recent academy pathway.
His situation has naturally alerted clubs, particularly with no long-term agreement currently secured, and the Imps are understood to be one of those monitoring developments closely.
Career path and first-team exposure
Emery’s route into senior football began after joining Wednesday from Charlton Athletic’s academy setup, before signing his first professional contract in July 2025.
He made his senior debut in the EFL Cup against Bolton Wanderers earlier this season, starting the match before being withdrawn late on with cramp in a tie that ended 3-3 and was eventually decided on penalties.
Further opportunities followed as the season progressed, including a Championship debut against Bristol City in January, along with additional substitute appearances as Wednesday’s campaign unfolded.
While his minutes remained limited, exposure to senior football has given clubs a clearer picture of his potential, particularly in terms of composure and physical presence at a young age.
Viable rumour?
Football Insider has previously linked us with Lewis Payne, Josh Edwards and Shane McLoughlin, so they’re not always solid. Usually, they make up their reputation by getting a deal that is already done, but the agents know, and the public doesn’t. Still, this does feel slightly different: there is only one club rather than three (odd, for O’Rourke), and it does feel like the sort of deal we might explore.
Emery is a right-sided centre half, and you’d imagine that’s a role filled by Deji and Tom Hamer next season at first, but maybe we’d draft in another. With Towler and Bradley as well, it does feel like centre back might be backed up with younger talent, rather than a headliner.
Time will tell, but with just 73 Championship minutes this season, we’re talking more about potential here than anything else.
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