Lincoln City are hoping to sign Sunderland winger Jack Diamond on loan, D3D4 Football understands.
The Imps have been pursuing the wideman but face competition from fellow third-tier outfit, Fleetwood Town.
Sunderland are keen to allow Diamond to head back out on loan with Harrogate chasing the player on a permanent deal earlier this summer following an impressive spell with the Yorkshire club. The two sides could not agree a fee, with the Black Cats demands too rich for Simon Weaver’s Town.
This has opened up a potential loan move and Fleetwood have been trying to reach an agreement to bring the 22-year-old to Highbury. Scott Brown is keen to increase his attacking options before the transfer window closes and see Diamond as an excellent player to fit his 4-3-3 attacking style.
D3D4 understands the Lincoln are also trying to negotiate a move to sign the Gateshead-born winger, with Sunderland’s only reservations being around the amount of game-time the player would get given the competition within the Imps squad.
Mark Kennedy allowed Hakeeb Adelakun to make a loan switch to League Two side Gillingham, which could be a move to allow the Diamond deal to progress, although this has not been confirmed by D3D4 sources. Jordan Garrick’s arrival from Swansea may mean the Imps decide not to sign another winger.
Diamond spent last season on loan with fourth-tier Harrogate Town where he scored 14 goals in 45 appearances across all competitions.
Lincoln have started the season with three straight draws and face Oxford United away on Tuesday night.