Coventry City plotting £15-20m Leicester City transfer raid as Everton, Sunderland lurk | OneFootball

Coventry City have joined Everton and Sunderland in the race for Leicester City's Abdul Fatawu

Coventry City's Premier League journey is edging closer and closer, as the off-season presents a chance for a bit of rest and recovery, with a lot of planning and preparation for the campaign ahead.

Frank Lampard is arguably the most popular person around the city of Coventry these days, having spearheaded the Sky Blues back to the Premier League after a 25-year absence.

It's been a wonderful ride for Coventry supporters, who have seen their side on an almost constant upwards trajectory since 2017, with former boss Mark Robins guiding the club from the depths of League Two to within a penalty shootout away from the top flight.

Although it wasn't to be for Robins, he will no doubt be quietly pleased for his former employers, who will be drawing up their shortlist for potential signings this summer.

One of those appears to be an international star who's just suffered a relegation from the Championship, with soon-to-be top-flight rivals also in the mix for their signature.

Coventry City join the race for Leicester City's Abdul Fatawu amid competition from Everton and Sunderland

Coventry were by far and away the best side in the Championship this season, scoring the most and conceding the least, but Lampard will be well aware that a failure to adequately add the necessary quality to his side's ranks could result in disaster.

On the right, Tatsuhiro Sakamoto is the only obvious option heading into the next campaign, with Yang Min-hyeok returning to Tottenham Hotspur following the end of his loan spell and Jahnoah Markelo having failed to make an impact since his January switch from FC Zurich.

It's therefore little surprise that, according to TEAMtalk, the Sky Blues have made formal contact with the agents of Leicester City's Abdul Fatawu over a potential move this summer, but face competition from an array of Premier League clubs for his signature.

Few players have come away with any sort of credit from the Foxes this season following their relegation to League One, but Fatawu's nine goals and eight assists have meant he has remained as one of their better performers.

Sunderland saw a £27 million bid for the Ghanaian international rejected last summer, and remain interested, whilst Everton, Fulham, Brentford, Aston Villa and Bournemouth have also seen their names linked with a move.

The 22-year-old, who joined from Sporting CP initially on loan in the summer of 2023 and then permanently a year later for £14 million, has a reported release clause of £30 million, though Leicester are reportedly open to accepting offers between £15-20 million instead, considering their position.

It's almost certain that Fatawu will not be sticking around for Bromley or MK Dons away next campaign, and whilst his next destination remains up in the air at this stage, Coventry are just one of several sides tracking his services over the next few months.

Frank Lampard must ensure he has a strong transfer window with Coventry City ahead of a hugely competitive Premier League campaign

If Coventry are looking to cement themselves as a Premier League side, a strong summer window is imperative.

Fatawu made just 11 Premier League appearances for Leicester, suffering a cruciate ligament injury in November, keeping him out of action for the remainder of the campaign, unable to truly showcase what he is capable of in the top flight.

Still 22, the Ghanaian international has ample time to continue to improve his game, and is almost certainly capable of having a positive impact in the top flight despite having been relegated with the Foxes.

Coventry will be hoping to take advantage of their rivals' predicament with the capture of Fatawu, but face heavy competition for his services, as this saga looks set to rumble on for some time.