Coventry City transfer link to 5-goal striker is "disappointing" as Sky Blues ambition questioned | OneFootball

FLW's Coventry fan pundit shares their thoughts on the club's links to Union Berlin striker Andrej Ilic

Coventry City were always bound to be linked with a whole host of names this summer ahead of what will undoubtedly be a huge transfer window for the club, and have since seen their name in the running alongside a Premier League rival for an 18-goal contribution international striker.

Frank Lampard has officially etched his name in Coventry folklore, ending the Sky Blues' 25-year absence outside the top flight, going up as champions and doing so in style.

Scoring the most and conceding the least across the second-tier campaign, no other side as from them were deserving of top spot, as Lampard prepares to make his mark back in the top flight by cementing Coventry's place as an established Premier League side.

To do so, the transfer business conducted by the club this summer must be spot on, and they can't afford too many misses.

With statistically the best attack and best defence in the league, and arguably the best midfield, upgrades were always going to be harsh, but there is no time to be ruthless for Coventry, who are considering all their options, especially in the final third.

Coventry City linked with Union Berlin striker Andrej Ilic - but Sky Blues told to halt pursuit

Coventry had five players hit double digits for goals across the campaign, namely Haji Wright, Brandon Thomas-Asante, Ellis Simms, Ephron Mason-Clark, and Victor Torp.

Despite this, Lampard has seemingly identified that reinforcements in the final third are a priority, and, along with Fulham, have targeted Union Berlin's Andrej Ilic this summer, as per Football Insider.

Ilic, 26, has scored six and assisted 12 in 34 appearances across all competitions in the German capital this season, with the strikers' performances putting him on the radar of both top-flight sides.

Football League World's Coventry fan pundit, Chris Deez, has shared his thoughts on the club's links with Ilic, and whether the Serbian is someone they would like to see at the CBS Arena next season.

Chris told FLW: "I follow the Bundesliga fairly closely. It's one of those leagues that I'm sort of half interested in, and I have absolutely no idea who Ilic is. He's a forward with five goals and 10 assists this season, which sounds okay.

"I don't really see why we would be looking at a player like him when we've got Simms on the bench. Don't get me wrong, Simms, I've been one of his biggest critics, and then he won me round as the season went on.

"Why are we looking at bringing in players that have scored five goals? Even when Simms hasn't been at his best, he's still scored over 10 goals. It just defies all belief. If five goals and 10 assists is the ceiling of what we're looking at, then I think we're going to be in for a very long summer and an even longer season.

"I don't like Haji Wright, but he scored 17 goals for us this season. Why would we be selling him for £20 million-£25 million, and then bringing in a player like Ilic?

"Since the rumours came out, I've looked him up on YouTube. Don't get me wrong, he looks like a decent player, a more than competent player. But there must be something about him if teams like Fulham are looking at him as well. But I don't know, it just doesn't exactly inspire me, doesn't fill me with hope.

"I'm not expecting us to go out and be signing your Haaland's and your Lewandowski's and strikers like that. It's really disappointing to see us linked with someone that scored five goals."

Frank Lampard must consider all his options at Coventry City this summer amid Andrej Ilic rumours

When it comes to Premier League experience, few can match that of Lampard's.

Over 600 appearances in the top flight as a player, and then 100 more as a head coach (thus far), the former England and Chelsea midfielder will know exactly what it takes to keep Coventry afloat next season.

The summer window is absolutely pivotal for the Sky Blues, who must ensure they make the necessary upgrades to improve the squad whilst not upsetting any of their current crop.

It's a fine balance, but if anyone can do it, it's Lampard.

Whether Ilic would be an improvement up top on either Wright or Simms is up for debate, but he's certainly an interesting option at that, and if Lampard wants him, you'd imagine he's earned the trust of the masses to make the right call at this stage.