Coventry City must pounce on Willy Gnonto's £15m situation at Leeds United | OneFootball

Coventry will need additional firepower in order to survive in the Premier League next season

Coventry City will be aiming to survive in the Premier League next season following their title triumph.

Frank Lampard’s side won the Championship en route to earning their place in the top flight, finishing 11 points clear of Ipswich Town in second.

The Sky Blues have ended a 25-year wait to compete at the highest level, with their last campaign in the first division coming in 2001.

It promises to be a busy summer ahead for the club as they plan for a tough year ahead, with their sights set on avoiding relegation back to the second tier.

The transfer window could prove crucial for Lampard, as he will want to reinforce his first team squad to have the best chance at survival.

Owner Doug King will have to back the 47-year-old, otherwise they could follow in Burnley’s footsteps and come straight back down without much of a fight.

Coventry City must take advantage of Leeds United transfer situation

If Coventry are going to compete against relegation next season, then some Premier League experience and additional firepower will both be needed.

And it has now emerged that Leeds United are willing to sell Wilfried Gnonto this summer after a difficult year under Daniel Farke.

It has been reported by Football Insider that the Whites could listen to offers worth between £15 and 20 million.

While Freiburg have been mentioned as a potential destination, Coventry must strike on this opportunity and bring him to the CBS Arena.

The winger would fit a hole in the squad that has been vacated by Romain Esse’s loan from Crystal Palace coming to an end.

The 21-year-old featured 21 times after joining in the January transfer window, contributing two goals and one assist, becoming an important part of Lampard’s side.

But it remains to be seen whether he could return to Coventry, and the signing of Gnonto may prove a more valuable market opportunity instead anyway.

While Ephron Mason-Clark remains in the squad, adding competition to that position should be a priority for the Sky Blues in the summer.

Given the potential cost of bringing in Gnonto, the club have been presented the opportunity to sign someone with a lot of Premier League experience who is still only 22 for a reasonable cost.

Wilfried Gnonto needs a change in scenery

Gnonto burst onto the scene at Leeds United during the 2022/23 campaign, contributing two goals and four assists from 24 appearances in the top flight.

But the Whites suffered relegation despite his impressive showings, and he hasn’t been able to quite make it work under Farke in the seasons since.

The Italian contributed 17 goals and eight assists from two years in the Championship, helping the Yorkshire outfit gain promotion in 2025.

However, he has been in and out of the team in the top flight this year, and it’s now reached a stage where a change in scenery is needed for the winger.

He is still only 22, and it’s clear that he could thrive in the right environment given the flashes of brilliance he has shown over the years.

And Lampard might be just the man to get the best out of him given his impressive man management skills.

For the potential cost of £15 million, it is a risk that Coventry should be taking as the upside potential could give them a top Premier League forward.

At his best, he’s proven to not just be a threat in front of goal, but also as a creative presence, which is the kind of attacking thrust the Sky Blues will need next season if they’re to survive the drop back to the Championship.