Coventry City twist emerges in transfer hunt for Abdoulie Manneh | OneFootball

Coventry City are reportedly no longer leading the race for Mjallby's Gambian sensation Abdoulie Manneh

Having seemingly led the way for the signature of Swedish side Mjallby's Gambian sensation Abdoulie Manneh for most of recent weeks, it now appears as though Coventry City are no longer in the driving seat.

With it appearing as though the Sky Blues are set to run away with the league title if they carry on the way that they have been going, they have been delivered what is perhaps their first blow of the season ahead of the January tranfer window, as it now seems as though Frank Lampard's side are no longer in the driving seat for the signature of a top target.

City have emerged as the outright favourites for the Championship league title this season, sitting ten points clear of 2nd place Middlesbrough after 18 games, and having already hit 50 league goals thus far, blowing their opposition out of the water on a weekly basis.

Under the guidance of former Chelsea and England midfielder Lampard, who joined the Sky Blues following the dismissal of the long-serving Mark Robins in November 2024, the Sky Blues look likely to be playing Premier League football next season, barring any catastrophic dips in form.

What Coventry seem to need though in January is some strength in depth, with a couple of injuries starting to sneak in - Jack Rudoni has spent time on the sidelines with striker Haji Wright, whilst top scorere Brandon Thomas-Asante is now out until early 2026.

The aforementioned Manneh appeared to be a top target for Cov at the start of 2026, but in a twist, Swedish outlet Fotbolldirekt have reported that City are no longer the club most prominently linked with the Gambian forward, with the Swedish champions now entering negotiations with a couple of other clubs.

The Gambian, who made 28 league appearances, scoring seven goals and grabbing three assists on the way to Mjallby's shock Allsvenskan win, has been heavily courted by numerous English sides, including the Sky Blues, who up until very recently, were leading the way for his signature.

Stoke City had also been linked with a move for Manneh alongside Coventry, with the Potters looking to finally buck the trend of never finishing above 14th in the Championship since their relegation from the Premier League in 2018, with former Coventry manager Robins eyeing up the signing of the Gambian.

John Mousinho's Portsmouth had also seen themselves be linked with an ambitious move for Manneh during the summer, but a move never materialised.

It is believed that Manneh will cost any club around 60 million kronor (£4.8 million), which, for a player of Manneh's age and profile, could end up being a bargain.

Where he will end up still remains a mystery, but what is for certain is that he won't be in Sweden for too much longer, despite Coventry's pursuit taking a setback.

Frank Lampard is still eyeing Coventry City attacking additions despite prolific nature of goalscoring

Despite Coventry firing on all cyclinders in front of goal this season, head coach Lampard has not been shy in searching for additions in his attack.

The Sky Blues, as well as being linked with a move for Manneh, had also seen themselves nearly secure a deal for former Leeds United forward Patrick Bamford, only for owner Doug King to make a U-turn on the transfer in the final stages, despite Lampard's insistence.

Bamford, 32, has since joined Sheffield United on a free transfer until at least January, and would have provided ample Championship experience to Lampard's front line.

With Haji Wright out injured, although e's soon set to return, and Thomas-Asante now sidelined too, this leaves just Ellis Simms as the club's only natural number nine.