"Heads may be turned" - Pundit issues £20m Coventry City claim as Leicester & Ipswich Town circle | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer believes the Premier League clubs would have to cough up a substantial fee for the Sky Blues' record signing

Carlton Palmer believes that his former club Coventry City may see their heads turn if a figure in excess of £20 million was offered, as Leicester City and Ipswich Town target their club-record signing Haji Wright.

The Sky Blues acquired the services of the USMNT international for a reported fee of £7.7m from Turkish Süper Lig outfit Antalyaspor in the summer of 2023, as then-boss Mark Robins looked to rebuild his squad following the high-profile departures of Gustavo Hamer and Viktor Gyokeres.

Wright was one of City's most influential figures during his first campaign with the Championship side despite a slow start, eventually registering 27 goal contributions in 50 appearances for the club as they narrowly missed out on a play-off spot, despite making the FA Cup semi-finals.

The Los Angeles-born forward then netted seven goals and made one further assist this season prior to sustaining an injury ahead of Frank Lampard's appointment in late November, with the former Chelsea and England legend yet to utilise his services.

And, regardless of the fact Wright hasn't featured since a key performance in a 2-2 draw with Sunderland on November 9 due to an ankle ligament injury, this hasn't deterred Premier League interest in the striker.

Carlton Palmer issues Haji Wright valuation claim as Leicester City, Ipswich Town circle

Speaking exclusively to Football League World amid reports that Coventry are open to letting Wright depart as a substantial profit could be made, Palmer has urged his old side to maximise the potential income they could generate from a sale.

"Leicester City and Ipswich Town are running the rule over Coventry City striker Haji Wright," Palmer said when speaking to FLW.

"The US international joined the Sky Blues in the summer of 2023 for around £7.7m from Antalyaspor, which made him a club-record purchase.

"If Coventry were to consider selling, it would be in excess of £15m.

"Wright enjoyed a fine first season in English football for Coventry City, scoring 16 league goals whilst also being an integral part of the side which reached the FA Cup semi-final.

"The 26-year-old was in fine form this current campaign with seven goals in 15 games, but has not played since mid-November due to an ankle injury.

"It's believed that Wright is returning to fitness, but it remains to be seen whether he'll be sold or not.

"Every player wants to go and play in the Premier League. But, if you have any ambitions to do well, you need to keep a player of his ability.

"He's somebody that Coventry have been missing, because he knows where the back of the net is."

"But, as we all know, money talks, so we'll have to wait and see.

"Like I said, he cost £7.7m - if an offer in excess of £20m came in, then the Coventry board's heads may be turned.

"But, they have brought Frank Lampard into the club. I'm sure Frank would look to increase his squad and not let a player of Wright's quality leave the club. But again, money will always determine what happens with these players."

Frank Lampard will be eager to retain Haji Wright's services

Having not had the chance to call upon the services of City's key figure, Lampard will be eager to retain Wright's signature throughout the transfer window, although the chance to play in the Premier League will no doubt give the American plenty to think about.

The investment which Coventry have ploughed into their squad in the past two seasons has been done with the intent of eventually ending their Premier League exile, although many will feel that ship has sailed for this particular season, as the Sky Blues have an 11-point gap between themselves and West Brom in sixth place to make up.

Given his record, there's no doubt that Wright would make the Sky Blues a substantial profit, especially when he remains under contract until 2027 at this moment in time.

Lampard expressed his keenness to see the 26-year-old in action at first-hand last month, and with City currently the top scorers in the bottom half, his return to the side could strike fear into plenty of opposition defenders in the final months of the campaign.

And, whilst Leicester and Ipswich can offer top-flight football, it begs the question as to how long that could last for, with both the Foxes and Tractor Boys embroiled in a relegation dogfight, despite Kieran McKenna's side enjoying a relative upturn in fortunes of late.