Romanian media has now claimed Lincoln City are the team involved in a swoop for Cluj defender Andrei Coubiș, and that the only current hitch to the deal is the potential sell-on fee.
Gazeta Sporturilor have suggested that the Imps want to include a 15% sell-on clause, while U Cluj are holding our for 20%. There is a strong belief in Romania that the player, whose value has seemingly gone up from €150,000 to €3m in a matter of months, could net an even bigger reward further down the line.
It’s also believed Serie B side Sampdoria would net a percentage of any move to Sincil Bank, where the player is reported to potentially net wages ‘four or five times’ those offered in Romania. It’s all a bit crazy from a Lincoln City point of view: ten years ago we were missing out as Matty Fry chose York City over us after leaving Braintree. Now, we’re being linked with players from teams in Europe.
There is no doubt Coubiș has excelled since moving to Romania. He was a big prospect at Milan, but struggled to make an impact in a short spell with Sampdoria. They’re a big name in Italian football, but finished 13th in Serie B last season. Coubiș didn’t get a kick, but still transferred to U Cluj in the summer, where he has been a huge success.
🔴 OFFICIAL: AC Milan can confirm that Andrei Coubiș has joined Sampdoria on a permanent basis. pic.twitter.com/8IJN9p3Vwe
— Milan Posts (@MilanPosts) January 9, 2026
Why a success in Romania and not Serie B?
A discussion on Reddit has questioned why Andrei Coubiș has impressed in Romania after failing to make a senior appearance during his time with Sampdoria. The defender had previously played for AC Milan’s youth and reserve sides, captaining Milan Futuro, but was unable to establish himself in Serie B before returning to Romanian football.
Several contributors argued that his improved performances were not simply evidence of a weaker standard in Romania. They pointed to factors such as regular playing time, confidence, tactical suitability and his relationship with coaches, while others highlighted the serious anterior cruciate ligament injury that reportedly kept him out for 448 days during his youth days.
Others were more critical of the Romanian SuperLiga, suggesting its overall level sits well below Serie B and allows players from lower divisions elsewhere in Europe to thrive. Opta disagrees: the Romanian top flight is ranked 33rd in the world, while Serie B is 35th. League One, for reference, is 40th.
The broad conclusion was that both explanations may hold some truth: Coubiș may have benefited from being given a proper opportunity in Romania, while also finding himself in a division less competitive than the one he encountered in Italy.
Is he really that good?
You never know before a player goes to a club how good he is. One can thrive in certain circumstances and look average in others. Look at Conor McGrandles – couldn’t impress at Charlton, came to the Bank and has been outstanding. Ivan Varfolomeev is another example, a top-flight player in Czechia, but had to prove himself in England and did. Erik Ring, similarly top flight in Sweden, did not.
One rather amusing anecdote is his AC Milan ‘debut’ against Chelsea in a pre-season friendly in the summer. He scored a fifth-minute own goal, then brought Pedro down for a penalty on 19 minutes, and was sent off. Ouch.
Still, that aside, Coubiș looks to me to be a ‘last line of defence’ man, with above-average blocks and interceptions. He can hit a long pass and carry the ball forward as well, both areas in which he is rated as ‘elite’ in Romania.
Here’s the thing – while he has played left centre back for U Cluj, he was deployed as a right back for his country against Georgia, and right midfield against Wales. I think there is an element of versatility here, especially when you look at that ball-carrying return from the graphic.
He registered two goals and an assist in his 1848 minutes for U Cluj last season, and it won’t surprise you to hear about those, given our interest. They all came from set pieces! His assist was a flicked-on long throw, while his goals both came from corners, one poked home from close range and one a smart finish from 12 yards on the half-volley.
His duels, both aerial and ground, are above 50%, which is good, and he’s clearly got the technique you’d expect for a player coming through the AC Milan system. His rise has been rapid: from Serie B outcast at Christmas, to Romanian national team four months later, and that’s reflected in a 1,900% rise in value, should a team indeed pay €3m for his services.
This may be paper talk; there may be some basis, but there is no doubt Andrei Coubiș is an interesting player for the Imps to be linked with.
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