Scottish side lead race to sign highly coveted Wolves defender after impressive EFL spell

Scottish Premiership side Hearts have emerged as the favourites to sign Wolves defender Dexter Lembikisa on loan.

The Edinburgh News are among those claiming Hearts are huge admirers of the young defender who made a name for himself at Championship side Rotherham United earlier in the season.

Lembikisa has been a member of the Wolves academy since he was 13-years-old. He made his first team debut as a late substitute in an EFL tie against Leeds United in November 2022 during a season where he also made his Premier League debut against Arsenal.

The young defender’s form for Wolves’ reserve team, along with his form on loan at Rotherham United, has earned seven caps for the Jamaican national team, which all came in 2023. At just 20-years of age, Lembikisa established himself as a first team regular with the Millers during the first half of the season. During his time with the Championship club he made 25 appearances and scored one goal.

Lembikisa has been recalled from his loan spell with the bottom ranked Championship team and is keen to continue his development with another loan spell. Hearts are pushing hard to make the deal happen as soon as possible. The Jambos are eager to strengthen in the right-back area with Nathaniel Atkinson on international duty with Australia at the Asian Cup.

Fellow right back Odel Offiah is another absentee. He had moved to Tynecastle Park on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion in the summer, but is now back with his parent club after suffering some medical issues during his time in Scotland.

Steven Naismith’s side have enjoyed a steady start to the season - they currently sit in third position and are on course to qualify for European football next term. They hope to have Lembikisa in place for their Scottish Cup fourth-round tie away to Spartans on 20 January.