Coventry City must now revisit blockbuster Martial Godo transfer - Frank Lampard is key | OneFootball

Coventry should look to return to a move for Strasbourg winger Martial Godo this summer after securing promotion

Coventry City will be playing top-flight football once again next season for the first time in 25 years, as Frank Lampard gears up for a busy summer of recruitment at the CBS Arena.

Coventry are a Premier League side once again, having confirmed promotion with a 1-1 draw away to Blackburn Rovers and clinched the title with an emphatic 5-1 home win over Portsmouth.

It's been a long time coming for the Sky Blues, whose remarkable rise from the fourth tier, which started less than a decade ago under Mark Robins, has been finished off by Lampard.

Plans for recruitment this summer will already be well underway, as Coventry fans can dare to dream of the signings they will be able to make after the influx of Premier League money heading their way.

Their attack has been second to none this campaign, with the club able to boast the likes of Haji Wright, Ellis Simms, Ephron Mason-Clark, Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, Brandon Thomas-Asante, Jahnoah Markelo, and Romain Esse. Yet, only a handful of those are likely to make the step-up to the top flight with the Sky Blues, such as the brutal nature of the jump to the Premier League.

With that in mind, Lampard will be well aware of where he needs to improve upon heading into the summer, and should look to target a player they had interest in as recently as last summer, whose stock has increased tenfold since.

Coventry should target Strasbourg's Martial Godo this summer after securing a Premier League return

Martial Godo is enjoying an excellent first year in France with Strasbourg, with 14 goals and six assists in 37 appearances across all competitions, having made the move across Europe from Fulham in a £6 million deal.

The London-born Ivory Coast international came through the ranks at Fulham, and spent the 2023/24 season out on loan with Wigan Athletic, scoring four and assisting four in 34 third-tier appearances, before returning to the fringes of Fulham's squad last campaign, where his opportunities were limited.

Prior to making the move to Strasbourg, Coventry launched a bid for the then-22-year-old to add competition on the wings at the CBS Arena, but the deal never materialised, as he headed to France instead, where he has since thrust himself into continental attention.

Now, the likes of Leeds United, Aston Villa and West Ham United are reportedly interested in offering the Ivorian a route back to England this summer, though he will cost substantially more than the £6 million spent by Strasbourg less than a year ago.

With Coventry set to see an increase in the transfer funds this summer, Godo could be a potential option for Lampard's side, who will be doing everything they can to ensure they have the best chance of survival, as the addition of Godo certainly won't hinder those chances.

The UEFA Europa Conference League semi-finalists look set to demand in the region of €45-50 million (£39-43 million) for Godo, as the Sky Blues will almost certainly have some regret for not getting this deal over the line when he cost a fraction of the price.

Coventry look set to break their transfer record numerous times this summer, with their current record signing being that of Haji Wright's £7.7 million move from Antalyaspor in 2023; Godo would be a huge jump with what Strasbourg will be demanding, but there is every chance he is worth every penny if he can help Coventry to survive their first year back in the top flight.

Martial Godo would be an excellent addition for Frank Lampard at Coventry City, who may use his Chelsea connections to sweeten the deal

Indeed, heading into the window this summer, Lampard will be looking to make the most of his connections elsewhere to strengthen his Coventry side, with his connection to Chelsea still strong.

Chelsea, like Strasbourg, is owned by US-based consortium BlueCo, founded by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, among others, and Lampard may be looking to use his connection to the Blues to his advantage by striking a deal with Strasbourg for Godo.

Of course, the French club will be looking out for their own best interests, given they have every chance of winning a major European trophy in the coming weeks, and will not adhere to the Sky Blues just because of Lampard.

However, the advantage that Lampard will have when it comes to negotiations cannot be ignored, and given that he has already previously tried to sign the winger, a deal could well be possible for the right price.

Whether Coventry will be willing to stump up the money for Godo remains to be seen, though he would certainly be an upgrade off the left on Mason-Clark, and replace the outgoing Esse, who will return to Crystal Palace at the end of his loan spell.