Coventry City pushing to strike deal for Swansea City star | OneFootball

Coventry City are pushing to sign Swansea City captain Matt Grimes

Coventry City have reportedly seen two bids rejected for Swansea City captain Matt Grimes, who remains a target for Frank Lampard heading into the final week of the January transfer window.

The Sky Blues' pursuit of Grimes was first called by BBC Sport Wales, with a subsequent update from Tom Coleman of WalesOnline further detailing a seemingly-impending switch to the CBS Arena following a decade of service for the Welsh side.

Head coach Frank Lampard appears to be edging closer to his first addition at Coventry, who are enjoying a recent upturn under his leadership.

Lampard has the side in contention for a play-off push following three straight victories over Bristol City, Blackburn Rovers and most recently Watford on Saturday afternoon.

Coventry City's transfer interest in Swansea City captain Matt Grimes

Coventry will be looking to top off what has been a positive month on the pitch with the acquisition of Grimes, who appears to be a chief transfer target for Lampard and co, as a move edges ever closer to completion.

BBC Sport Wales' aforementioned report has revealed how Coventry have already seen two separate bids turned down for the Swansea midfielder.

Grimes extended his contract until 2027 earlier this season, meaning Luke Williams' side are under no rush to sanction a sale, but it's said the Swans captain would likely receive a "significant" pay rise should he complete a move to the West Midlands.

As per fresh reports, that move appears increasingly likely. A crucial update from WalesOnline has now detailed that Swansea are resigned to losing Grimes before the conclusion of the window, despite rejecting two bids, with Coventry growing in confidence of completing a deal.

Importantly, Grimes himself is said to be keen on the move and what will be a new challenge after being a mainstay at the Swansea.com Stadium for so many years.

For the time being, the value of those bids remains unclear with but it does seem as though Coventry are getting closer to a deal which could bolster their own play-off aspirations while handing yet another hammer blow to their next opponents in Swansea, who have lost their last four straight games amid heavy defeats to Southampton in the EFL Cup along both Norwich City and bitter rivals Cardiff.

Matt Grimes' impressive Swansea City

It has always been a cause of curiosity among both the Jack Army and neutral supporters as to just how Swans have managed to retain Grimes' services for so long.

The 29-year-old has established his reputation as one of the most durable, consistent and classiest central midfielders beneath the top-flight ever since Swansea's relegation from the Premier League in 2018, and his importance has only grown after being named club captain a year later.

Grimes has made more than 300 appearances and counting for Swansea, who will desperately hope Saturday's chastening 5-1 defeat to Norwich at Carrow Road does not go down as his last.

Coventry, meanwhile, would surely receive a considerable mid-season boost from the addition of Grimes, who could prove a shrewd midfield partner for Ben Sheaf - or even a replacement or upgrade, dependent on just how one frames it, given their shared skillset.

Prizing away a player of Grimes' quality and experience from a divisional rival would represent a statement of intent from Coventry and a display of the backing and trust Lampard has from chairman Doug King, meaning this saga is surely one to stay tuned with in the coming days.