Oxford United, Peterborough United and West Ham United have reportedly failed with bids for Lincoln City defender Sean Raggett.
Lincoln’s Sean Raggett celebrates scoring their first goal
According to Lincolnshire Live, Lincoln City have rejected three bids for centre back Sean Raggett – including West Ham United’s offer for the player.
Lincoln enjoyed a stunning season, not only winning the National League title to return to the Football League, but they also reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup in a remarkable run.
One of the key players in Danny Cowley’s side was defender Sean Raggett, who joined the club from fellow non-league side Dover last summer.
The former Gillingham youngster, now 24, hit an impressive seven goals in 47 games for the Imps, including the dramatic winning goal against Premier League side Burnley in the FA Cup – and his exploits appear to have attracted major interest.
Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud in action with Lincoln’s Sean Raggett
Lincolnshire Live report that Lincoln have rejected three bids for Raggett, and one of those offers comes from Premier League outfit West Ham United as they pursue new signings.
The report notes that West Ham offered just £125,000 for Raggett, which was promptly rejected, with Lincoln also snubbing £250,000 bids from League One sides Oxford United and Peterborough United.
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic
It’s claimed that the bids fall well short of Lincoln’s valuation of their star defender, meaning that West Ham will need to more than double their bid to stand any chance of landing Raggett this summer.
It remains to be seen whether West Ham return with a new move for Raggett, but adding a young centre back to challenge with Winston Reid, Jose Fonte and James Collins could be a smart move, with the Hammers seemingly looking to make Raggett the next star to rise from non-league football to the Premier League after the success stories of Chris Smalling, Michail Antonio, Jamie Vardy and Charlie Austin.
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