Frank Lampard facing £4.3m Coventry City transfer blow | OneFootball

Coventry City now appear increasingly likely to miss out on the signing of prolific Sint-Truiden forward Adriano Bertaccini

Coventry City have received a blow in their pursuit of Sint-Truiden forward Adriano Bertaccini, who is edging closer to completing a move across Belgium to join Anderlecht.

The Sky Blues' interest in 24-year-old Bertaccini was first reported on Tuesday afternoon via HLN's live transfer news blog (13:42), although competition from Anderlecht was noted and it now appears as though the Belgian giants are likely to win the race for the sought-after forward.

As revealed late on Tuesday evening by Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri, talks over a deal just north of €5 million (£4.3 million) are ongoing between Sint-Truiden and Anderlecht, with Bertaccini himself reportedly giving "preliminary approval" to join the side.

Coventry are continuing to plug away in the transfer market as they bid to bolster the squad at the disposal of popular head coach Frank Lampard in order to facilitate a fresh push for promotion to the Premier League, having agonisingly lost out in dramatic fashion to Sunderland during last season's play-off semi-finals.

Lampard's side have completed three additions to date in the form of full-back pairing Miguel Angel Brau and Kaine Kesler-Hayden alongside goalkeeper Carl Rushworth on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion, and they remain on the search for further acquisitions ahead of their season-opener at home to Hull City on August 9.

Coventry's hopes of adding Bertaccini to their squad, however, now look to be in doubt.

Coventry City, Frank Lampard set for Adriano Bertaccini transfer blow

The first official report of Coventry's interest, by HLN, detailed how the Sky Blues had "reported" for Bertaccini alongside a number of undisclosed MLS outfits, with Gent and Lens having separately courted the St-Truiden talisman as recently as January.

But, of course, it did note long-standing interest from Anderlecht, who reportedly made "first contacts" with both Bertaccini and his club a while ago. It was reported that no breakthrough was imminent, although that situation could now be subject to change.

Tavolieri's aforementioned update does not necessarily suggest a deal is done, with the reporter noting that there has been "no full agreement" on personal terms just yet. However, Bertaccini's reported offering of approval to join Anderlecht on a four-year contract puts them very much in the driving seat to secure his signature ahead of the likes of Coventry.

Bertaccini has emerged as a hot property following a stunning breakout 2024/25 campaign, which saw him find the back of the net on 21 occasions to help retain Sint-Truiden's top-flight status.

The striker, who can also operate anywhere across the frontline or even in attacking midfield, had spent much of his career playing lower league football in Belgium before joining Sint-Truiden in February 2024, where he has gone from strength to strength ever since.

Coventry City may need to launch fresh striker hunt amid Adriano Bertaccini blow

Anderlecht have made serious advances in their pursuit of Bertaccini, which they appear increasingly likely to successfully complete.

That's a blow for Coventry, of course, and supporters may be wondering why the club haven't made more progress in light of the reported figure in the region of £4.3 million - though it is worth noting that Anderlecht are a huge club in Belgian football and are preparing to contest qualification for the UEFA Europa League.

But, if it's not to be Bertaccini, then the Sky Blues need to readjust their efforts and pursue another striker in what remains of this summer's transfer window. They're clearly intent on bolstering that area of the pitch, and rightly so, many will argue, with starting striker Ellis Simms having scored just six goals from 43 Championship appearances before being dropped to the bench and not called upon for either of Coventry's two play-off semi-final fixtures against Sunderland.

That did feel like something of a message from Lampard, who no longer appears to view Simms as a key figure in his plans and will surely now be ramping up his efforts to replace him with a more prolific option.