Coventry City will be busy in the market this summer after winning promotion to the Premier League and Frank Lampard has already set his sights on a Premier League midfielder
09:47, 03 May 2026Updated 10:31, 03 May 2026
Frank Lampard manager of Coventry City(Image: Michael Zemanek/Shutterstock)
Frank Lampard has identified Ross Barkley as the man to help Coventry City ensure their return to the Premier League is not a one-season wonder.
According to Alan Nixon, the Sky Blues boss is plotting his moves for when the window opens and Lampard wants Barkley to make the switch with his future at Aston Villa under the spotlight.
Barkley has another year on his Villa contract, but he is reportedly keen to play regular football, and a move to the Championship title-winners could be on the agenda.
It is claimed that Lampard is keen to add Premier League experience to his squad, and Barkley fits that criteria. Coventry are expected to be busy this summer, but Lampard will have to work smartly and within his budget. Nixon says Lampard is putting a package together for the ex-Chelsea man.
Barkley would likely be Coventry’s top earner but there is a suggestion that Everton may also be interested in taking him back to Merseyside.
Meanwhile, Nixon also reports that Coventry are keen for clarity on the future of Carl Rushworth, who was an instrumental figure in their success this season.
Rushworth produced a string of stellar performances and is eager to represent Brighton in the top flight.
But if his chances of regular football are going to be limited at the Amex, then it is likely he will be allowed to depart the club on loan again.
And Nixon says that could include an option to buy. Coventry would undoubtedly be in the queue particularly on the back of such an impressive season under Lampard.
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Coventry City are back in the Premier League
The Coventry Telegraph has produced a stunning special edition marking the achievements of Frank Lampard and his men.
And to celebrate, the Coventry Telegraph has produced this stunning 48-page special edition marking the achievements of Frank Lampard and his men.
Since relegation in 2001, the Sky Blues have gone through many well-documented lows, but a quarter of a century later, free-scoring City have earned promotion in emphatic style.
And our bumper special edition is the perfect souvenir to remember that fantastic achievement by.
We’ll have match reports, pics, and reaction from every kick of City’s journey back to English football’s promised land.
It’s all here… the avalanche of goals pre-Christmas that made promotion look nailed on, the brief wobble that followed, and the revival under Lampard to consolidate their position at the top of the table.
Plus, Sky Blues writer Andy Turner will have pages and pages of in-depth analysis on the title-winning season, manager Lampard’s success, key players, and what lies ahead for the club in the top flight.
Club historian Jim Brown will also share his fact-filled take on promotion, while there will be pictures and reports from the Sky Blues’ joyful promotion celebrations.
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