Coventry City told what makes Luke Woolfenden an "utter steal" at £4m from Ipswich Town | OneFootball

The Sky Blues added to their defensive department with Woolfenden's Deadline Day move from Ipswich Town

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's main focus in the recently-closed summer transfer window was adding further defensive depth, with Frank Lampard making four additions in that regard.

In what was his first pre-season at the CBS Arena after guiding the Sky Blues to last season's Championship play-off semi-finals, the former Chelsea and Everton boss acquired the services of Carl Rushworth, Kaine Kesler-Hayden and Miguel Angel Brau from Brighton and Hove Albion, Aston Villa and Granada respectively, with all three deals completed early in the window.

After failing to land the likes of Hull City's prized asset Charlie Hughes and Bodo/Glimt's highly-rated centre-back Villads Nielsen, Coventry would eventually see one of their main targets make the move to the West Midlands on Deadline Day, with Luke Woolfenden moving from Ipswich Town on a three-year deal.

It marks a new era for the dependable centre-back who had been on the books of the Portman Road club since the age of 11, and those of a Sky Blue persuasion believe the club have struck gold after the financial aspects of the deal were subsequently announced.

Coventry City, Frank Lampard lauded for striking £4m, Luke Woolfenden "steal" with Ipswich Town

It was revealed by Ben Jacobs of GIVEMESPORT via X, that City would part with a £4m sum for the 26-year-old's services, with the Coventry Telegraph subsequently reporting that the aforementioned fee was a 'total package'.

Given his influence in Suffolk in recent seasons, including during Ipswich's back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League under Kieran McKenna, Football League World's Coventry City fan pundit, Chris Deez, has praised the club for acquiring the defender's services for the aforementioned fee.

"I think £4m for Woolfenden is absolutely spot on the money," Deez told FLW. "I thought he was probably going to cost around £5-6m.

"When you consider the fact we managed to get £2.5m for Luis Binks, which was a profit on what we paid for him. And when you consider that, pretty much, the entire fanbase said Binks wasn't good enough, £4m for Woolfenden who has achieved promotion twice with Ipswich and has Premier League experience as well, I think it's an absolute steal, an absolute bargain," he stated.

"I don't know if he fits into the team immediately. I don't know what Lampard's plan is, it would be a shame to see Thomas and (Liam) Kitching split up, especially with how well Kitching has done since he took the captain's armband. He's been one of the real highlights of this early season.

"I would imagine Bobby Thomas would be phased out for Woolfenden which, in itself, would be a shame as well as Thomas has been an absolute hero for us in the last couple of seasons," Deez explained.

"Sheffield United wanted him (Thomas) for up to £8m, apparently. With that being said, £4m for Woolfenden is a complete and utter steal."

Luke Woolfenden's experience could prove invaluable to Coventry City's promotion aims

As Deez alluded to, City already have a duo of impressive centre-backs on their books. However, given how keen Lampard was to secure Woolfenden's signature, it is highly unlikely that the new signing is utilised as a 'squad player', meaning one of Kitching or Thomas would be dropped unless a formational change is in order.

Kieran McKenna was also desperate to keep the homegrown defender at Portman Road despite Woolfenden's desire to experience a new challenge, which also speaks volumes given the calibre of his former defensive colleagues at the Tractor Boys.

His presence alongside Cameron Burgess was pivotal in getting Town over the automatic promotion line two seasons ago, and it could be crucial again, with many tipping the Sky Blues to potentially, at long last, end their exile from the Premier League.