Hamza Bencherif in the frame as Lincoln city look to bolster squad
David Holdsworth made his first signing of the January sales yesterday – and wants to follow it up with an audacious swoop for Hamza Bencherif.
Having signed Jake Thomson on a month's loan from Newport, the Lincoln boss wants to also bring in the Notts County powerhouse on a short-term loan.
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Hamza Bencherif
But the deal has hit a snag over money, although Holdsworth is refusing to give up the chase for the former Imps middleman and confirmed he will continue dialogue with Mapgies chief exec Jim Rodwell in the coming days.
"Hamza is a terrific player and obviously somebody well known at Lincoln given the time he spent here," he said.
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"I've spoken to Jim about him and he's tried to help me all he can. He is a good guy, but we just haven't been able to agree on the money side.
"I have made Notts County a very generous offer and I would love to get the boy here because he really would be a terrific addition.
"But I won't give up, it's just a case of whether we can increase our offer."
Bencherif made 12 appearances for Lincoln under Peter Jackson in the 2007/08 season, scoring one goal.
He later joined Macclesfield where he produced a series of outstanding displays, scoring 16 times in 60 appearances.
That was enough to win him a move to Notts County where the 24-year-old has scored twice in 21 games so far.
Should the move not materialise, Holdsworth does have other options, with Chester's Scott Brown also a possible addition.
Knee and hamstring injuries to Gary Mills and Mo Fofana have left him short of cover in the centre of midfield, making recruitment in that area a priority.
But he is also set to extend centre-back Scott Garner's loan from Cambridge, which should be completed before Saturday's trip to Ebbsfleet.
Having recruited Thomson, Holdsworth is pleased the board has allowed him to plug the gaps left by his crocked first team regulars.
"I had a discussion with the board after the Gateshead game and the chairman and directors have been very supportive," he said.
"I will see what I can do with the funds we have available, but I won't be signing anybody who cannot improve us.
"I don't have the funds to go out and sign Demba Ba, but we will have a go and do our best to strengthen the squad because it's a priority."
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