Reaction given as Coventry City open transfer talks - "I'm not too sure what the plan is" | OneFootball

Coventry City will reportedly soon commence talks to sign the forward

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Coventry City have been backed to complete a move for Abdoulie Manneh despite some initial doubts over the transfer.

The Sky Blues have enjoyed a brilliant start to the 2025/26 season, emerging as the Championship’s team to beat due to their explosive performances and destructive attacking talent.

After 15 matches, the Sky Blues are five points clear of Middlesbrough in second and have a further two points cushion to Stoke City in third, which leaves them in a healthy position to fight for automatic promotion.

They’ve scored 40 goals thus far, which is by far the division’s highest total and 14 more than the second-highest total, achieved by Ipswich Town and Hull City.

Despite this strong form, the Sky Blues have been linked with a move for Mjällby forward Abdoulie Manneh. The likes of Wolverhampton Wanderers, AFC Bournemouth, Brighton and Hove Albion and Burnley were all reportedly keen on a transfer for the 21-year-old, but Coventry seem to have edged ahead in that race.

Coventry City told to pursue move for Abdoulie Manneh

A recent report from Fotbolldirekt stated that Manneh’s preferred destination would be the CBS Arena and that Coventry will soon begin talks with the Swedish outfit to get a deal done.

Previously, a transfer fee of £3.6m has been quoted as what Mjällby are looking for, which would be quite the outlay from Frank Lampard’s side.

When queried on the potential move, Football League World’s Coventry City fan pundit, Chris Deez, has some initial doubts over where Manneh would fit into the team, but ultimately believes it is a transfer the Sky Blues should complete.

“I'm not too sure what the plan is because we've got Ephron Mason-Clark,” stated Chris.

“I'm not really sure what the plan is, if he's going to come in as a first-team starter or be a very good option off the bench, but it seems like quite a lot of money to spend for someone that's going to sit on the bench.

“We've had that issue with Kaine Kesler-Hayden as well. We've spent about £3-4 million on him and he's barely featured because of how good Milan van Ewijk has been.

“If he can play across all of the midfield then I think he'd be a fantastic signing. If he can drop into centre midfield when Matt Grimes needs a rest or if Victor Torp gets another of his niggling injuries, then I think it'd be a fantastic signing.

“But it would be very, very Coventry for us to be linked with him so heavily and then he goes to a rival. So, we'll see what happens, but it looks like it'd be a pretty good signing.”

Abdoulie Manneh would be a strong addition but he may have to bide his time

If Coventry are going to turn their brilliant start into a full push for the Championship title, they need to make sure that their squad is fully prepared for that task.

Injuries are likely to occur over the space of 46 matches and the last thing Lampard needs is to be worried about a thin group of players during the run-in.

Manneh scored seven goals and provided three assists during the 2025 Allsvenskan campaign and at just 21 years of age, has plenty of potential to grow into. The forward has also impressed on the international stage, scoring three goals and contributing two assists on his Gambia debut in a 7-0 hammering of Seychelles.

Although regular gametime may not come immediately for Manneh at the CBS Arena, he is an option Lampard would rather have than not during the second half of the season, which is why securing his signature is so important for the Sky Blues.