How Coventry City have reacted to Southampton FC's Jack Rudoni bid | OneFootball

Coventry City have rejected a bid from Southampton for midfielder Jack Rudoni

Southampton FC have reportedly had a speculative offer for Coventry City's Jack Rudoni rejected by the Sky Blues.

The Saints are looking to strengthen in an area of the field which is becoming quickly in need of reinforcements.

According to the Sun, the Saints offer has fallen well short of Coventry City's valuation of the player. Rudoni has three years remaining on his contract and there is no evidence of any release clauses.

Whether Southampton will return with an increased offer is unclear at this stage. The Sky Blues will be well aware of Southampton's potential buying power, so they could hold out for an increased fee.

Lampard will be reluctant to sell Rudoni to a rival club

Frank Lampard is reluctant to let go of the 24-year-old midfielder, who made 45 appearances in the Championship (including two in the play-off semi-final).

The Englishman chipped in with 10 goals and 12 assists in the last campaign and those sorts of numbers will be sorely missed.

Furthermore, selling Rudoni to a rival club in Southampton who harbor similar ambitions to get promoted this season would be reckless.

Lampard has spoken about how much he enjoys working with Rudoni on the training ground. He puts Rudoni in the same bracket as Mason Mount and even himself when it comes to the player's dedication to training and getting the most out of his abilities.

Southampton have gaps to fill in central midfield

Will Still's central midfield options appear to be disappearing in front of his eyes as the new season rapidly approaches.

Mateus Fernandes has been the subject of speculation throughout the summer and is expected to depart before long. Both Joe Aribo, who hasn't featured much during pre-season, and Will Smallbone could also leave.

Still has settled, it seems, on Shea Charles and Flynn Downes as starters, with the veteran Ryan Fraser playing in a more advanced central role.

The development of 18-year-old Moses Sesay will need to be managed, which could leave Still limited options in the event of injuries.

Should the Saints be successful in their pursuit of Rudoni, he would surely be a starter for Southampton in an area of the pitch where goals and assists have not been readily forthcoming in recent years.

Southampton's pursuit of Rudoni may ultimately prove to be fruitless. Both Leeds United and Newcastle United have reportedly registered an interest in the player. For the reasons outlined above, Frank Lampard would be reluctant to sell and Coventry City would be naive to sell Rudoni to a rival club. However, money talks and Southampton may well get their man.