How Frank Lampard feels about Coventry City signing £20m Carl Rushworth from Brighton | OneFootball

Carl Rushworth has spent the campaign on loan at Coventry City from Brighton

Coventry City are on the verge of earning their place in the Premier League for next season.

Frank Lampard’s side extended their advantage at the top of the Championship table prior to the March international break with a 3-0 win away to Swansea City.

Goals from Brandon Thomas-Asante, Matt Grimes and Tatsuhiro Sakamoto sealed an important three points, with the Sky Blues taking advantage of their rivals all dropping points.

The gap to third place Ipswich Town is now 11 points, although the Tractor Boys have a game in hand during the run-in.

Coventry haven’t competed in the top flight since 2001, and have twice missed out on promotion in the last three years through play-off heartbreak.

One key player in their promotion bid has been Brighton loanee Carl Rushworth, whose future is up in the air going into the summer transfer window.

Coventry City’s Carl Rushworth stance

It has been reported by Football Insider that Lampard is keen to keep Rushworth at the club beyond his loan spell.

It’s believed that the Seagulls are open to his sale with the player’s contract set to expire in June 2027.

However, the Sky Blues reportedly face Premier League competition for his signature, with his performances this season generating a lot of interest from elsewhere.

Coventry are believed to want to strike a deal with Brighton for Rushworth, who have set an asking price of around £20 million, but the club are yet to determine whether they feel that is a reasonable price.

The 24-year-old has kept 14 clean sheets from 39 appearances in the Championship this campaign, with the team now closing in on promotion to the Premier League.

The Sky Blues will be planning their summer transfer business already, although their place in the top flight has not yet been sealed officially.

Coventry are nine points clear of second place Middlesbrough, with Kim Hellberg’s side dropping two points before the international break with a 0-0 draw against Blackburn Rovers.

Lampard’s side have won seven of their last eight league games, putting them in a prime position to clinch promotion, and potentially even the second division title as well.

Next up for Coventry is a home clash against eighth-place Derby County on 3 April in an 8pm kick-off.

Coventry will have to back Frank Lampard this summer

Lampard has earned the right to be backed in the transfer market by owner Doug King, particularly as the club kept things fairly straightforward last year with minimal investment.

It was the right decision to keep the team together without too much tinkering, and the club have benefitted, but they will need to improve in order to survive in the Premier League.

Being able to keep Rushworth would be a good bit of business, as he’s proven himself as a dependable option in goals for Coventry.

A £20 million price tag might be a bit high, but this is the cost of competing in the Premier League, and there could be more of where that came from in the coming months, provided the Sky Blues get over the line.