"Hopefully Doug King gets negotiating" - Coventry City urged to strike Sunderland transfer | OneFootball

FLW's Coventry City Fan Pundit has weighed in on the Sky Blues' interest in Sunderland's Luke O'Nien.

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 excellent throughout the 2025/26 Championship campaign, but a recent slip in form has allowed their promotion rivals to put pressure on them for the first time this season.

With the January transfer window now open, there is now the opportunity for the Sky Blues to add to their squad as Frank Lampard searches for promotion to the Premier League following a heartbreaking end to 2024/25, in which Sunderland ran out as winners in the semi-final of the play-offs against the West Midlands outfit.

The Black Cats have had an incredible first year back in the top flight, and while they are fighting for a place in Europe for next season, fan favourite Luke O'Nien has struggled to find a place in the team.

However, he could be offered a reprieve, with Coventry one of three Championship clubs interested in the defender, with the Chronicle reporting that Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion are also keen on the 28-year-old.

Coventry City backed to make a move for Sunderland's Luke O'Nien

O'Nien has played just twice in the Premier League for Sunderland, with a red card against Manchester City in a 3-0 defeat in December his most recent appearance for the club.

Any potential deal would be a loan, and this would work perfectly for Lampard and the Sky Blues as they look to bolster their squad ahead of the run-in, and Football League World's Coventry Fan Pundit, Chris Deez, believes he would be a good addition.

He told FLW: "I really like Luke O'Nien, I think he'd be a great signing for us. He's a bit different to what we've got in the middle of the park. I think he's quite different to Matty Grimes, but he could probably still fit in there every now and then, because Grimes really needs a rest soon.

"O'Nien was a big part of Sunderland getting promoted last season. It's always a shame to see a player be so pivotal for a club and getting them promoted and then not given any time the following season. It might be a case that he's one of those that's a great Championship player who can't put it in the Premier League. Adam Armstrong comes to mind."

Chris continued: "If we can make it happen, I think a loan to buy situation would probably benefit us. I think if we bring in any players this month, it needs to be on loan to buy deals because it'd be great if four loan signings could come in and get us promoted, but then we're in a position where we need to spend even more money once we're in the Premier League.

"So, hopefully Doug King gets his negotiating hat on and does what he didn't do in the summer, basically. The summer that has come back to bite us, like so many fans knew it would."

Luke O'Nien was excellent for Sunderland in the Championship in 2024/25

Although his minutes have been limited due to injury and the form of others in the Premier League, there is no doubting O'Nien's commitment and desire on the pitch. This is something that epitomised his 2024/25 campaign, as he helped Sunderland to promotion through the play-offs.

The defender, who can also play in a holding midfield role when required, made 45 appearances in the Championship last season, and he played a crucial role against Coventry in the semi-final at both the Stadium of Light and CBS Arena.

O'Nien spent 3,935 minutes on the pitch for Sunderland in 2024/25, scoring three times from central defence, while winning 63% of his ground duels and 61% of his aerial duels. These qualities will be needed for the Sky Blues in the coming weeks, especially with Bobby Thomas now out through suspension.