Coventry City lining up Sunderland AFC transfer raid - he starred in 24/25 promotion charge | OneFootball

Coventry City could potentially pinch one of Sunderland's 2024/25 promotion heroes next month as Frank Lampard sets his sights on the Stadium of Light

Coventry City are looking to be active in the upcoming January transfer window as Frank Lampard bids to keep the Sky Blues' stronghold on promotion to the Premier League intact following an electrifying opening half of the 2025/26 Championship campaign, with a potential Sunderland transfer raid on the cards next month.

According to a recent report published by TEAMtalk, Coventry are among a number of clubs monitoring the ongoing situation of Black Cats midfielder Dan Neil, who has scarcely featured in the current season after helping Regis Le Bris' side to promotion via the play-off final last time out.

Coventry will be eyeing the winter window as an opportunity to double down on the dominance they have asserted thus far in the Championship, with the Sky Blues emerging as promotion favourites. The Sky Blues have lost just two of their opening 20 encounters and boast an almighty goal difference of +29, having already scored 51 goals before the campaign's mid-way point.

However, a 3-0 defeat away at promotion rivals Ipswich Town, coupled with Tuesday evening's 1-1 draw against Preston North End, has halved what was a ten-point lead at the summit of the league table to five points, and while Coventry remain firmly in the driving seat heading into tomorrow afternoon's return to action at home to Bristol City, Lampard will be conscious of the threat offered by the likes of Middlesbrough, the Tractor Boys and others - and some fresh blood could propel City's promotion bid beyond doubt after making just three signings in the summer window.

Coventry City eyeing Sunderland AFC, Dan Neil transfer raid

As per the aforementioned report, Coventry are plotting a swoop for Neil ahead of his likely exit from the Stadium of Light, with the midfield man "expected" to represent the first departure in something of a January clearing sale on Wearside.

Sunderland are reportedly intent on cashing in on Neil, among others, in order to offset their summer spending. The Black Cats, of course, spent heavily after defeating Sheffield United in last season's Championship play-off final to end an eight-year exodus from the Premier League, with stars such as Simon Adingra, Brian Brobbey, Habib Diarra, Noah Sadiki and Granit Xhaka all arriving in big-money deals.

Le Bris' spending strategy has paid off so far, with Sunderland sitting inside the top-half after 15 matches, although it has posed serious questions about the futures of a number of players who helped the Mackems to promotion in the first place, and Neil's appears to be away from the North East after losing his place behind the likes of Diarra, Sadiki and ex-Arsenal midfielder Xhaka - even losing his captaincy to the latter.

The 23-year-old, who has played just two minutes of top-flight football across two appearances this season, is poised to find himself out of contract at the end of the season and has no shortage of suitors.

It's said that multiple clubs are keeping tabs on Neil's situation at Sunderland, but Coventry are the only side with a known interest at this moment in time. Neil was also a wanted man back in the summer, having been of reported interest to Everton, Aston Villa, West Ham and Roma, though Coventry may not be facing that level of competition now as we edge closer to the January window.

Sunderland's Dan Neil is an attractive potential signing for Frank Lampard at Coventry City

Popular head coach Lampard has voiced his eagerness to bolster his side in January, with the ex-Chelsea and Derby County boss working with a talented, albeit rather thin squad at the CBS Arena right now.

There's no denying the quality of Coventry's side — the league table says as much — but the Sky Blues made only two outfield signings in the summer, none of which were in midfield or attack, and the supplementation of finer strength in depth could go a long way to getting City over the finish line come May.

The potential addition of Neil would give Lampard a serious, though much-welcomed, selection headache in the middle of the park, as his presence in the ranks could see him outmuscle either Matt Grimes or Victor Torp.

He would also bring real quality, pedigree and promotion-winning experience to this corner of the West Midlands, having captained his boyhood club to the Premier League last season.

Indeed, Neil appeared in 48 matches across all competitions, and had been an ever-present in both League One and the Championship in the preceding three campaigns too, meaning he has the tried-and-tested experience to slot straight in while still representing an exciting long-term purchase with plenty of further development and potential future resale value ahead at the age of 23.