Why Coventry City sanctioned QPR transfer agreement - Frank Lampard confirms | OneFootball

Frank Lampard has revealed why Coventry City allowed Justin Obikwu to join fellow Championship club Queens Park Rangers.

Coventry City boss Frank Lampard has opened up on his club's decision to sell striker Justin Obikwu to fellow Championship side Queens Park Rangers in the January transfer window.

Obikwu had been on loan in League One with Lincoln City before the Sky Blues recalled him and allowed QPR to acquire his services permanently.

The 21-year-old scored just three goals in 21 appearances for the Imps, but his new club will hope that he can help them land a Championship play-off spot.

Meanwhile, his former club Coventry boosted their automatic promotion chances by defeating Millwall 2-1 on Tuesday, courtesy of goals from Romain Esse and Haji Wright.

Frank Lampard reveals why Coventry City allowed Justin Obikwu to join QPR

The Sky Blues' next Championship clash sees them take on Norwich City this Monday, and the Canaries will be full of confidence after their 5-0 win at West Brom.

Meanwhile, when discussing Obikwu's exit, Lampard told the Coventry Observer: "I think it is good business. He’s a good lad, Justin. He came in to say his goodbyes, he’s a polite boy.

"He’s had a different pathway as a player, and he’s got nice attributes as a striker. He hasn’t always played on loan at Lincoln this season. He’s dipped his toe in the water with playing.

"We wish him the best. Sometimes it feels like the right time for the player and the club. He’s a talented boy, and he’s going to the next stage of the career.

"We have to make decisions about what affects us in the short term and a bit longer term."

Lampard also revealed that he thinks Obikwu is contractually free to play against the Sky Blues for the R's later this month: "I presume. I’m not aware of a clause, and I think it would have gone through me if there was one."

Justin Obikwu needs to hit the ground running at QPR

QPR will be pleased to hear that Coventry boss Lampard believes that Obikwu is a talented player despite his decision to part company with the striker.

However, the fact that the 21-year-old endured a lack of game time with Lincoln in League One this term suggests that he could take time to start performing well in the Championship.

Furthermore, he scored just seven goals while he was on loan with Grimsby Town in the 2024/25 League Two season.

Meanwhile, QPR successfully extended their unbeaten run in the Championship to three games with their 0-0 draw at Oxford United on Tuesday.

But the R's have also earned just one win in their last seven fixtures across all competitions, which came when they defeated relegation strugglers Sheffield Wednesday in the second tier.

Therefore, Julien Stephan needs his new signing Obikwu to hit the ground running in the Championship with a goal just as soon as the striker needs one to boost his confidence levels.

QPR face Wrexham in their next league game this Saturday, and they must take advantage of the fact that the Red Dragons are in relatively poor form, having failed to win both of their last two games, including a defeat to a Norwich side who are battling against relegation.