Lincoln City have reportedly made initial contact over IF Elfsborg defender Ibrahim Buhari, with the 24-year-old potentially available this summer.
The Nigerian centre-back is also said to have attracted interest from Portsmouth, Cardiff City and Turkish side Kasimpasa, with his current deal in Sweden running only until the end of the Allsvenskan season.
Imps Linked With Elfsborg Defender
Lincoln City appear to be among the clubs monitoring Ibrahim Buhari, a 6ft 3in right-footed centre-back currently playing for IF Elfsborg in Sweden.
The reported interest comes at a time when City are likely to be assessing defensive options ahead of the new campaign, particularly with Championship football bringing a different level of physicality, depth and squad management. Buhari is not a name familiar to many in England, but his profile is an interesting one: athletic, experienced in European football, and it believed to be approaching the final months of his contract.
🚨 Ibrahim Buhari kan lämna IF Elfsborg i sommar. Portsmouth, Cardiff City, Lincoln och Kasimpasa har tagit en första kontakt. Mittbacken har ett kontrakt som löper ut efter säsongen. https://t.co/8WZQ0ULat3
— Anel Avdić (@AnelAvdic) May 29, 2026
Elfsborg play on the Swedish calendar, meaning their domestic season runs through the English summer and into the autumn. Buhari’s deal is listed as expiring on December 31, 2026, so this would not be a conventional “free agent at the end of June” situation. However, with the player entering the final stretch of his agreement, Elfsborg may face a decision on whether to cash in while they can still command a fee.
Buhari joined Elfsborg from Plateau United in September 2022 after impressing in Nigeria’s top flight. He had been a regular for Plateau, scoring six goals in 38 matches during his second season as the club finished second in the Nigeria Professional Football League. Since moving to Sweden, he has built up solid senior experience, with Wikipedia listing 56 league appearances and one goal for Elfsborg as of November 2025.
He has also been involved internationally, having received a senior Nigeria call-up in May 2022 before later being selected for Nigeria Under-23 duty during qualification for the 2024 Olympics. That does not make him a full international, but it does suggest he has been on the radar beyond club football.
What Sort Of Defender Is He?
Buhari is described as a strong and athletic centre-back with good passing ability, while his height naturally makes him a threat from set pieces. That last point should not be overlooked either. We have traditionally placed value on defenders who can contribute in both boxes, and a 1.90m centre-half with aerial strength would fit the broad physical requirements of Championship football.
The European experience is an eye-catching part of the profile. Buhari played 759 minutes in the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League, against the likes of Sheriff Tiraspol, Modle and Pafos.
There is competition, though. Portsmouth and Cardiff City would both offer Championship football as well, while Kasimpasa would provide a different route entirely in the Turkish Super Lig. That means Lincoln’s interest, if it develops beyond initial contact, would likely have to be built around opportunity, role and fit as much as finance.
At this stage, it is one to file under “interesting rather than imminent”. Initial contact does not always become a formal bid, and City will almost certainly be speaking to a number of agents and clubs as they shape the squad for the step up. Still, Buhari’s age, physical profile, contract situation and European background make this a link worth keeping an eye on.