Ethan Wheatley
Ethan Wheatley now appears to be a much more realistic option for City after Everton ended their interest in the Manchester United striker. The Imps are reportedly in pole position to sign the 20-year-old on loan, removing what had appeared to be the main obstacle to a deal.
Wheatley has already experienced League One football through spells with Northampton Town and Bradford City. Neither loan produced a prolific return, but he has gained valuable senior experience and possesses the profile City often seek: young, energetic, hard-working and capable of developing within the group.
This feels like the sort of loan the Imps could now complete. Wheatley would add another forward option without necessarily arriving as the finished article, while Manchester United would be placing him in a Championship environment where there should be opportunities to play and improve.