West Ham United and Sunderland are both set to miss out to Norwich City in the race for Sean Raggett from Lincoln City.
Raggett has been one of the most in demand players in the lower leagues, after a hugely impressive campaign last time out.
The powerful centre-back played a key role as Lincoln got promoted from the National League and went on a lengthy FA Cup run.
And Sunderland, West Ham and Norwich were among the leading candidates to take the centre-back.
It seems that the Canaries have come out on top in the race for the 23-year-old’s signature, and he is likely to move to Carrow Road in the near future.
West Ham and Sunderland, meanwhile, may have to look elsewhere for defensive cover.
Raggett was unlikely to start at either West Ham or Sunderland, but he would have strengthened the defensive options at both clubs.
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