The summer transfer window is set to conclude on Friday, but what other business could Coventry City do before the 11 p.m. deadline to try and better their previous campaign when they reached the Championship play-off final?
It’s been a busy summer for Mark Robins’ side so far, securing ten new additions to the Championship side, with eight of those being permanent arrivals, as well as two further loan deals in what has been one of the most expensive windows in the club’s history.
Similarly, those transfers were helped by the departures of Viktor Gyokeres and Gustavo Hamer in seven-figure transfers, further proving how successful the club’s recruitment team is. Both players cost the club roughly £2.5 million combined but have made the club over £30 million in profit within two/three seasons.
The Championship side have smashed their record transfer with the addition of USA international Haji Wright for £7.7 million, as well as Dutch U21s international Milan Van Ewijk, Everton’s Ellis Simms and Burnley’s Bobby Thomas for additional seven-figure fees.
It’s been a tough start for Mark Robins’ side so far, losing 2-1 to Leicester City on the opening day, as well as being knocked out of the EFL Cup by AFC Wimbledon. The club did bounce back to cruise past Middlesbrough in a repeat of last season’s play-off final, before drawing back-to-back games against Swansea City and Sunderland, leaving the club in 11th.
With all that being said, let’s take a look at what the Coventry supporters could expect from the remaining two days of the transfer window.
New Additions
Coventry City boss Mark Robins has previously confirmed that the club are still looking to do more business in the remaining days of the transfer window. The specific positions remain to be seen, but the club have been chasing a left-sided defender and are also yet to replace Gustavo Hamer, following his switch to Sheffield United.
In terms of a defender, Coventry Live journalist Andy Turner has confirmed that Barnsley captain Liam Kitching is still on the club’s radar, whilst former loanee Jonathan Panzo has been given permission to leave Nottingham Forest should the right bid come in.
Moving into midfield, Coventry have recently added Brighton’s Yasin Ayari on a season-long loan, but he isn’t expected to be the ‘Hamer replacement’. Coventry Live have since confirmed that the club are believed to be looking at the European market in order to find Hamer’s replacement but no concrete names have been mentioned yet.
Some Sky Blues fans have also stated that they’d like to see a striker join the club, but with no players mentioned, I think it’s unlikely that one will arrive before the window closes. Coventry currently have Haji Wright, Ellis Simms and top-scorer Matt Godden at their disposal, as well as U21s duo Kai Andrews and Justin Obikwu as well as Fabio Tavares who’s yet to return from injury.
Therefore, I would predict that the club are aiming to bring in two players before the window closes, but that is much easier said than done.
Departures
The Championship side have recently loaned out U21s midfielder Ryan Howley to SPFL side Dundee, but there could be further departures before the window slams shut, whether that’s permanent or loans remains to be seen.
Goalkeeper Simon Moore is arguably the most likely player to leave the Championship side, after falling to third choice following the arrival of Barnsley goalkeeper Brad Collins, as well as last season’s golden glove winner Ben Wilson. However, whether he leaves remains to be seen.
Attacking midfielder Kasey Palmer was the subject of rumoured interest from Norwich City, although this has since been squashed. The Sky Blues are set to welcome both Callum O’Hare and Jamie Allen back, whilst the signings of Yasin Ayari and Tatsuhiro Sakamoto have also bolstered the club’s midfield options, but that doesn’t imply that Palmer would be allowed to depart.
Aside from Moore, several U21s could also see themselves being loaned out, although it is important to remember that the National League window is open until March.
Could anyone be released?
In previous transfer windows, Coventry City have been known to release players from their contracts on deadline day. Winger Marcel Hilssner was the club’s most recent example although he left in the January window.
Based solely of the player’s contracts, the only player that is likely to be allowed to go is Simon Moore as he enters the final 10 months of his contract. However, due to a potential issue with squad depth, it would be a risk to terminate Moore’s contract.
Therefore, I wouldn’t expect any member of the first-team squad to be released before Friday’s deadline.
What is most likely to happen?
Realistically, the perfect option for the Sky Blues would be to bring in a defender and midfielder as well as avoid any major exit’s. If an offer came in for Simon Moore, that would be the icing on the cake for the Championship side.
However, in terms of reality, I would almost certainly expect another midfielder to join the Sky Blues to replace Gustavo Hamer, as well as the possibility of sending an U21s player out on loan. If a defender could be sourced, it would be a huge boost to Mark Robins’ side, but with the club having four options plus Jake Bidwell, there is cover if it is required.
Coventry City have arguably already had their dream summer transfer window, but the squad isn’t yet complete and it will be intriguing to see who the club manage to sign before the transfer window slams shut.
Coventry fans, feel free to let us know on Twitter @TheRealEFLNews who you’d like to see join the club before the window closes!