"Trust me" - Huddersfield Town tipped to beat Barnsley in transfer race for Lincoln City star | OneFootball

FLW's Lincoln City fan pundit has given his verdict on Paudie O'Connor's future at the club.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Paudie O’Connor is attracting interest from Barnsley and Huddersfield Town ahead of the summer transfer window following his performances for Lincoln City.

It was exclusively revealed by Football League World that the two League One clubs are monitoring the situation surrounding the defender.

O’Connor contributed three goals and five assists in the league last season (per Transfermarkt), as the Imps earned an 11th-placed finish in the table.

However, his time at the club could come to an end this summer if this interest evolves into an offer that Lincoln have no choice but to accept.

Claim made on Lincoln City defender Paudie O’Connor’s next steps

When asked about the transfer interest in O’Connor, FLW’s Lincoln fan pundit Gary Hutchinson claimed that a move to Barnsley is unlikely to happen, but Huddersfield could win the race for his signature.

He compared the defender’s situation to Regan Poole, who made the switch to Portsmouth two years ago and helped them win automatic promotion to the Championship in his first season with the club.

“It doesn’t surprise me,” Hutchinson told Football League World.

“Barnsley won’t get him, it’s not going to happen. Trust me on that one I think.

“Mainly because I think that Paudie is at a stage in his career where he, A), either moves to a Championship club, or B), moves to a club on a two or three-year deal that will challenge next season for promotion, and we’re talking about automatic promotion here, not the play-offs.

“Because I think there’s every chance that Lincoln could be in and around the top 10 again next season. So, obviously I’d be disappointed if he ended up at another club in League One, but look at Regan Poole.

“Poole did exactly the same thing a couple of years ago, solid service for us, moved to Portsmouth, got promoted the next season.

“You can’t begrudge a player for wanting to test himself at a higher level, and Paudie is a realistic man, he’s down to earth.

"I think he understands that there’s more than one way to skin a cat, and moving directly to a Championship club may not be in his best interest.”

Paudie O’Connor told to avoid Millwall and Bristol City

Hutchinson thinks a move to the Championship this summer could be possible, but claimed a move to the likes of Preston North End or Hull City would be preferable compared to Bristol City or Millwall.

“If it’s Preston or Stoke or Hull, sure he’s likely to get in the side in those sorts of teams, but further up: Millwall, Bristol City? Not 100 per cent sure,” he added.

“If he wants to play Championship football, he’s got to box clever, and perhaps moving to Huddersfield, who you would expect would be challenging next season; they’ll have a good budget, might have David Wagner back, would be a decent move.

“But Barnsley, I don’t see Barnsley challenging next season, and therefore I don’t see Paudie O’Connor going there.”

Lincoln finished 11th in the League One table, one place above Barnsley thanks only to their superior goal difference.

O'Connor move needs to be a step up

Moving to Barnsley could be a step up for O'Connor, but that's not guaranteed given how underwhelming their campaign was.

However, a move to the likes of Huddersfield could provide a greater chance at moving on up the English football pyramid, even if it means remaining in League One for the time being.

The Terriers will hope to be in the mix for automatic promotion next year, and bringing in someone of O'Connor's quality will only increase their promotion chances.