Coventry City are expected to complete the signing of Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper Carl Rushworth later this week, sources have revealed to Football Lowdown.
The 25-year-old enjoyed a successful loan spell at the CBS Arena last season. He played every minute as the Sky Blues ended a 25-year wait for Premier League football by clinching the Championship title.
They did so in style too. Frank Lampard’s team scored 97 goals, but Rushworth’s exploits at the other end of the pitch saw them concede just 45 times, averaging less than one goal per game.
It’s no surprise that Coventry have therefore been keen to make the shot stopper’s temporary spell a permanent one, with a breakthrough having now been made.
Rushworth Saga At An End
Coventry have already sealed the transfer of one of last season’s loanees, with Frank Onyeka joining from Brentford. They’ve also strengthened their squad elsewhere with the acquisitions of Aurèle Amenda and Loum Tchaouna from Eintracht Frankfurt and Burnley respectively.
Rushworth has been Lampard’s primary target throughout the summer and it has been widely reported that the West Midlanders have seen three bids rejected. The last of which was said to total £25 million, with Albion wanting closer to £30 million.
News then emerged over the weekend that Newcastle United had stepped up their pursuit of the former Walsall and Lincoln City loanee. The Mail claimed the two parties had entered into talks, as well as with Manchester City over a potential deal for James Trafford. However, the 23-year-old now looks set to complete a £40 million move to Leeds United.
Newcastle now appear to have missed out on another of their targets, with sources close to Football Lowdown stating a transfer to Coventry is to be wrapped up later this week. The fee is currently unknown, although other reports have suggested that Brighton were keen to insert both a buy-back and a sell-on clause.
Lampard Will Be Delighted To Get Deal Over The Line
Although the transfer has long been expected to go through, Lampard will be relieved the deal has now been concluded. Coventry were running the risk of heading into the new campaign with just two senior goalkeepers in Ben Wilson and Oliver Dovin, neither of whom were expected to be first choice.
The Sky Blues can now concentrate on other areas of the squad that need strengthening, with another centre-back said to be high on the agenda. AC Milan’s Fikayo Tomori has been linked, although Liverpool are the latest club said to have expressed an interest in the England international.
