Lincoln City appear ready to make a major investment in Romania international Andrei Coubiș, with the defender now understood to be in England completing a proposed move.
The Championship newcomers have been repeatedly linked with the 22-year-old, who has attracted interest from elsewhere in England and from Turkish side Trabzonspor. Lincoln, however, are now believed to be at the front of the queue after Universitatea Cluj manager Cristiano Bergodi publicly confirmed Coubiș had left the Romanian club.
A package worth as much as €3 million, around £2.6 million, has been reported, although that figure is likely to include future bonuses rather than being paid in full at the outset. It would still represent a significant commitment from Lincoln as they strengthen for their return to the second tier.
Significant background
Coubiș would arrive with a background that includes academy football at AC Milan, senior experience in Italy and Romania, and three appearances for his country. The 6ft 5in centre-back developed in Milan’s youth system, eventually captaining both the under-19 side and Milan Futuro, the club’s reserve team.
He was also included among the substitutes for Champions League group fixtures against Chelsea and Dinamo Zagreb in 2022. A first-team appearance did not follow, but he later featured regularly in Serie C before leaving for Sampdoria.
His career then took him to Universitatea Cluj, initially on loan during the second half of last season. Coubiș played 19 times in all competitions, scored twice and helped the club reach the Romanian Cup final before the transfer was made permanent this summer.
That stay now looks set to end almost immediately. Coubiș had been missing from recent U Cluj squads, leading to speculation that he had been allowed to travel and discuss a move elsewhere.
Bergodi has since removed much of the uncertainty by confirming that the defender was no longer available to him.
“He is no longer our player, and we only talk about who remains and who we hope will come,” said Bergodi. “He needs to be replaced, and we need to do something in the transfer market.”
The manager did not name Lincoln as Coubiș’s destination, but a subsequent report claimed the defender was already in the city and finalising the transfer.
Coubiș was raised in Italy within a Romanian family and represented both nations during his development. He later committed his senior international future to Romania, receiving approval to change his allegiance in March 2026.
Appearances against Wales, Georgia and Slovakia have followed, giving Lincoln the opportunity to add a full international to their squad before the Championship season begins.
No announcement has yet been made by the Imps, and the deal will remain incomplete until the relevant medical and administrative work has been concluded. Bergodi’s comments, though, suggest Lincoln are no longer simply monitoring Coubiș and are instead close to completing one of the most substantial signings in the club’s recent history.