Huddersfield Town and Burton Albion are reportedly battling to sign Dundalk forward Gbemi Arubi, who once enjoyed a trial spell with Lincoln City.
The 22-year-old has been one of Dundalk’s standout performers this season, with interest from both League One clubs emerging during a campaign in which he has stepped up in the Irish top flight. Even more interesting, he has scored a goal in City colours, bagging for us in the Lincolnshire Senior Cup against Boston in a 2023 trial.
Arubi has scored six goals and provided three assists in 20 appearances this term, building on the role he played in helping Dundalk win the First Division title last season. His form has also earned him international recognition, with the forward called into the Republic of Ireland Under-21 squad earlier this month.
Huddersfield Town And Burton Albion Interest Emerges
Arubi’s rise has been sharp after previous spells with Shelbourne and Waterford brought limited senior impact in the top flight. Since moving to Dundalk, however, he has found a platform under Ciarán Kilduff and has developed into one of the more talked-about attacking players in the League of Ireland.
He made his Ireland Under-21 debut against Croatia earlier this month, although a knock meant he missed the following match against Qatar’s Under-23 side. That issue also saw him sit out Dundalk’s first game after the mid-season break against Galway, before he returned from the bench against Bohemians on Friday night.
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Kilduff admitted that Arubi has attracted attention, but insisted Dundalk have not received anything concrete at this stage.
“There’s no reason to think that. I’m not stupid, he’s attracted a lot of interest.
“He’s earned it and he came on for 20 minutes. He’s better than that because he’s not fit to play.”
It is interesting to see Huddersfield going for a player we didn’t sign, rather than one we did! He doesn’t fit their usual recruitment either: Arubi is young but unproven in the English league, and has now entered the international pathway. Burton Albion may enjoy bringing you talent through, but Huddersfield usually sign players that other English teams have already developed.
Dundalk’s position is understandable, particularly with the club keen to hold on to a player who has become central to their strong return to the Premier Division. Losing him mid-season would be a significant blow, but continued League One attention could test that stance if interest develops into a formal offer.
Could he one day be the one that got away for Lincoln City?
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