Coventry City are expected to make a bid for loanee goalkeeper Carl Rushworth this summer, as Frank Lampard tries to prepare his squad for their return to the Premier League.
Rushworth, 24, has enjoyed an impressive season at the Coventry Building Society Arena after joining on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion last July. Indeed, after keeping 16 clean sheets in 45 appearances, he helped the Sky Blues win the Championship title and was named in the Team of the Year for his efforts.
Now, according to the Standard, Coventry are set to make an attempt to sign Rushworth on a permanent deal. It’s added that, despite interest from Newcastle United and other potential suitors, Coventry are in the driving seat to secure Rushworth’s signature and hope to make him their first signing of the summer window.
Rushworth is believed to be keen to extend his time at Coventry, with the shot-stopper hoping to continue working with Chelsea legend Lampard, who has been instrumental to his development this season.
A permanent transfer for Rushworth is poised to be the start of an aggressive approach to the summer for the Sky Blues, as they look to establish themselves in the top flight next season.
Rushworth hasn’t yet made his first appearance for Brighton’s first team, following his move to the Seagulls from Halifax Town in 2019. He has since spent time out on loan at Worthing, Walsall, Lincoln City, Swansea City, Hull City and then Coventry, amassing more than 200 matches in the process.
Opportunities are expected to be limited for Rushworth at Brighton if he decides to return to the Amex Stadium. Bart Verbruggen is the clear No.1 after arriving from Anderlecht three years ago, while Jason Steele has cemented himself as the second-choice and even earned a shock England call-up last month.
Brighton are having an excellent season under Fabian Hurzeler and are pushing for a return to Europe. Indeed, they sit sixth in the Premier League table, one point above Bournemouth in seventh.
Coventry, meanwhile, romped to the Championship title with two matches remaining. The Sky Blues have been by far the outstanding team in the second tier this season, recording 27 wins and 11 draws from their 45 games.
They lifted the Championship trophy after beating play-off chasing Wrexham 3-1 on Sunday. Brandon Thomas-Asante, Victor Torp and Ephron Mason-Clark were the scorers for Coventry as they swept aside the Welsh outfit.
Lampard’s side have one more fixture to go and that is a trip to Watford on Saturday. A win against the Hornets would extend their winning run to three matches and take them up to 95 points.