Sell, marry, avoid – Coventry City’s transfer priorities amid Joe Worrall and Ilay Camara links

Coventry City started their transfer business earlier than most. Many of their Championship rivals are yet to get a single deal over the line, but that’s not the case for the Sky Blues.

Already through the door are four new faces – wings Ephron Mason-Clark and Raphael Borges Rodrigues, defender Luis Binks and attacking midfielder Jack Rudoni. Mark Robins has also been linked with a host of others as summer rumors get into full swing.

The City manager and his coaches will welcome most of the existing squad, minus a few internationals, and new recruits to Ryton on Monday morning when the club return for pre-season training, starting with the usual fitness tests.

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Meanwhile, more deals will be looming in the background, with head of recruiting Dean Austin and owner Doug King trying to get their business done as soon as possible, certainly before the team leaves for Europe for their annual summer training camp and home opener expected.

So with some work already done – and plenty more to do – we look at which of the many players have been linked and who City should ‘Sell, Marry (Sign), or Avoid’…

Sell

Mark Robins insisted in May, after the last ball of the 2023/24 campaign was bowled, that he did not want to sell any of his key players, determined to retain the core of his impressive and developing squad, safe in the knowledge that the likes of Haji Wright and Ellis Simms will be better for their first full seasons at the club. That, in fact, is true of most of the players who joined City last summer and have grown, developed and improved throughout their first season at this level.

Ben Sheaf, meanwhile, is the club’s best-selling asset from the group that reached the play-off final the year before and has been the subject of much speculation linking him with other clubs. But again, the Robins are firm in their determination to keep hold of the midfielder, who is likely to be named their new captain. There’s always the chance that someone will come along with an offer that’s too good to refuse, of course, but let’s assume it doesn’t go anywhere.

That being the case, there are only a few others that City could realistically look to sell. And in all cases we’re probably talking nominal fees in an attempt to move people on and free up wages for new signings.

We know striker Matty Godden, for example, has been frustrated by his lack of game time. And given that he’s already shown interest from at least one League One club (Charlton Athletic), there’s a good chance he could move on this summer. How much City would get for him remains to be seen, especially given his age (32) and the fact that he is in the final year of his contract.

The same goes for Ben Wilson, although his stock should be quite high following his outstanding 2022/23 campaign. But then again, he is understood to be frustrated after losing his place and there is a strong case for City to bring in a new goalkeeper, in which case he would appear to be surplus to requirements.

Another possible candidate for a switch is Jake Bidwell, who would be allowed to leave if another club comes in to replace him. City are believed to be keen to increase competition at left-back.

Marry

Top of the list has to be renewing vows with Ben Sheaf. The 26-year-old has two years left on his current deal, but as the club’s star players and most influential midfielders, there is a strong case to tie him down to a new and improved deal to keep him happy and provide security to the club moving forward.

In terms of new signings, City have been linked with RWDM Molenbeek right-back Ilay Camara. The Robins have no competition for Milan van Ewijk and Camara is said to cost between £1.5m and £2m, which is in line with City’s spending on a number of players last summer.

He can also play as a right-back/right midfielder, and that versatility would also appeal to Coventry, who have been looking to add quality to compete with Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, who was also pipped from the Belgian leagues in this time last year.

Elsewhere, City have been linked with a bit of experience at the back – both Middlesbrough free agent Paddy McNair and Nottingham Forest’s Joe Worrall are said to be of interest. The Robins have spoken about replacing the leadership and experience lost when Kyle McFadzean moved on, and his young defenders could certainly use a steadier head after conceding too many goals last season.

Avoid

Sheffield Wednesday striker Josh Windass is set to become a free agent on Monday (July 1). The 30-year-old has been linked with a number of clubs, from the Sky Blues to recently relegated Birmingham City. Windass, the son of former Bradford City and Hull legend Dean, scored six goals and provided two assists in 25 appearances to help Wednesday retain their Championship status in the final term, but does not fit the recruitment mold of of Coventry as to age.

Certainly, if Godden leaves, the Robins will need a replacement striker, someone who is different to his 19-goal boys Simms and Wright. But a young, hungry goalscorer would be more suited to City’s ambitions, rather than an experienced head who could still contribute at this level, but probably not in the league above.

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