Coventry City race ahead of Newcastle for Carl Rushworth transfer | OneFootball

Coventry City are closing in on their first potential signing of the summer

Coventry City are now planning for life in the Premier League after clinching the Championship title.

Frank Lampard has overseen a first place finish with one game still to play, with the Sky Blues earning their top flight return after a 25-year absence.

The club are facing the prospect of a busy summer transfer window, as they now look to build a team capable of surviving in the division long-term.

Coventry can take solace from Sunderland and Leeds United, with both clubs having been able to reach the magical 40-point mark that typically equals survival.

This will be Lampard’s return to the Premier League after previously managing Chelsea and Everton at that level.

And one player he will likely be keen to keep in the squad is Brighton loanee Carl Rushworth, whose future is uncertain as the campaign draws to a close.

Coventry City take advantage in Carl Rushworth transfer battle

It has been reported by The Standard that Coventry are currently the front-runners to sign Rushworth on a permanent basis this summer, and it is believed that the Sky Blues are set to make an offer to the Premier League side to secure the goalkeeper for next season.

The Championship side face competition from Newcastle United, who are in the market for a new first-choice shot-stopper.

However, Coventry are seen as the favourites to sign the 24-year-old following his impressive form for the club.

Lampard is understood to be keen to get this deal over the line, as he looks to play an important role in the recruitment process.

Rushworth is expected to become the first permanent signing of the summer in what will be an aggressive summer of investment in the first team.

The stopper is also believed to be keen to continue working with Lampard, indicating his future is at the CBS Arena amid links to a move away from the club.

Rushworth joined Coventry last summer on loan, and he has been a fixture of the side, featuring in all 45 of their league games so far.

The 24-year-old has kept 16 clean sheets and has conceded 45 times, with Coventry already crowned champions.

The Sky Blues will travel to Watford on Saturday for their final game of the Championship campaign, with intense work in the transfer window set to follow.

Permanent Carl Rushworth deal would be a real coup for Coventry City

If Coventry can get this over the line early then it will be a positive start to the summer for the club.

Rushworth has impressed while on loan, but Bart Verbruggen is considered the main man for Brighton between the sticks, so a permanent move makes the most sense for his career.

Continuing with Coventry is a smart next step, as he knows the club, the fans, how everything works and he’s settled there already.

A switch to Newcastle might have been tempting, but he would’ve been competing with Nick Pope for game time, and there would be a big jump in the pressure on him to perform, which might be a step too far at this stage.