Coventry City set to seal Crystal Palace transfer in big boost for Frank Lampard | OneFootball

Coventry City and Frank Lampard are set to sign their first player of the January transfer window, with a Crystal Palace loanee on the way.

Coventry City have had a recent run of one win and two draws in the last five league games, but Frank Lampard's side are about to add a forward to bolster their ranks in January.

The likes of Brandon Thomas-Asante and Haji Wright have been putting the goals away for much of the season, with Ellis Simms stepping up of late as well. That comes after Jack Rudoni has struggled for fitness following his excellent 2024/25 campaign.

The goals have come from everywhere, however, with centre-backs contributing, while Victor Torp has been a reliable source from midfield. That said, they have been short of genuine wingers all season so far.

The two specialist wide players on the books at Coventry are Ephron Mason-Clark and Tatsuhiro Sakamoto. The former has nine goal involvements in 23 games overall, but has come to the fore of late with five of those coming in the last nine.

But a two-sided winger who can provide depth for their promotion push in the second half of the season could be a huge differential for Lampard, who may well have landed his man in the first week of the window opening.

Frank Lampard closes in on first signing of Coventry City's January transfer window

John Percy reported Coventry's interest in Romain Esse mere days ago, stating that Coventry had held talks with Crystal Palace over the loan signing of Esse, who has not been a regular for the Eagles after his departure from Millwall last January.

The Palace winger could be the difference for Coventry and their title charge. However, he is not the only wide player who has been on Cov's radar from Selhurst Park. Jesurun Rak-Sakyi also has interest from Coventry, while Liel Abada has also been linked with a Championship switch.

The loan deal for Esse and Coventry now appears to have been struck. James Savundra of Sky Sports is reporting the latest information regarding a deal for one of the two speedy Eagles wingers.

The player who is yet to start a league game this campaign for Crystal Palace is expected to join Coventry on loan until the end of the season. Sky Sports report that it is a loan for a player with four-and-a-half years still to run on his deal, having dropped further in the pecking order since Brennan Johnson's arrival from Spurs this week.

Romain Esse's goal and assist stats in the Championship

Coventry are landing a player with serious athleticism, but also the versatility to operate on either flank and provide serious competition to the current incumbents out wide.

The loan market has been fruitful thus far, with Brighton and Hove Albion loanee Carl Rushworth excelling in recent matches between the sticks. Esse has huge potential for the future, like Rushworth, but also plenty to offer in the here and now.

The 20-year-old's six goals and one assist in 61 Championship games (Transfermarkt) doesn't jump off the page, but there was a reason the FA cupholders felt the need to spend an initial £12 million on Esse last January.

It could be the perfect way for Esse to regain some form and confidence and for Coventry to get themselves over the line in the final 20 games of their 2025/26 season.