West Bromwich Albion and champions Coventry City are already turning their focus to the transfer market as the Championship season draws to a close and the play-offs reach their final drama.
The two could not be in more contrasting positions if they try hard, but they have the same transfer goals this summer.
West Brom will be desperate for the kind of stability that one goal can provide next season, as Coventry and Frank Lampard look to replicate Sunderland and Leeds United.
West Brom and Coventry compete to sign new defender
For Coventry, the blueprint is clear. Recruitment, as well as tactical changes, will be key to success in the Premier League.
That’s how Sunderland survived this season, thanks to the likes of Granit Xhaka, and even more. Leeds also almost ensured their survival and switched to a 3-5-2 system to turn their season around.
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Ipswich Town and Coventry City will be looking for a goalscorer with a proven track record of winning promotion.
But West Brom could yet burst that bubble for the Sky Blues. They are desperately trying to improve themselves next season so that the Premier League dream does not become a completely lost dream.
According to TEAMTalk, both Coventry and West Brom are battling to sign Leon King from Rangers to begin transfer business this summer.
The 22-year-old has performed well on loan at Ayr United this season, winning the club’s Player of the Year award, and Coventry are now firmly on the shortlist to secure his signature.
Meanwhile, the Baggies are also sniffing around, with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley also joining them in what has become a frantic battle for King’s signature.
But with great potential after a great campaign, it’s easy to see why the competition has started.
Why King could be the new Bobby Thomas
Big companies don’t necessarily end up being great businesses. Leeds proved that last summer when they signed Anton Stach from Hoffenheim. Now Coventry can go one step further and welcome a great Scottish talent in King.
The 22-year-old has proven he is ready to perform at the top level this season. Rangers still do not have a say on the loanee, and the question is which top division he will be able to play in.
“I’m interested in watching Leon King this year. When I saw him last season, he was like a big Rolls Royce and very elegant on the ball. He came out and held the ball and looked very comfortable for a player at such a young age.” (Former Rangers star Alan Hutton)
For Lampard, King could quickly become the new defensive leader, or even the new Bobby Thomas. The latter has improved over the past two seasons and as a result has finally won the Premier League award.
Like King, who is set to leave Ibrox after a difficult few years, Thomas also had to take a step back in order to progress in his career, leaving Burnley with his only first-team appearance after a series of loans to the EFL.
He currently plays front and center under Lampard, but the first team needs more than just one outstanding defender.
It would certainly be ideal for Coventry to turn to both Thomas and emerging star King when they take on the best teams in the world.
The Rangers loanee has been highly rated for some time now and if he does not arrive at Ibrox over time, offers from the Premier League should be very attractive for the 22-year-old.
Of course, it’s also worth noting that it’s important for Coventry to get the balance right this summer. King is a great player but will need experience around him to arrive in his debut season in the Premier League.
Sunderland’s blueprint suggests adding Premier League experience is the way to go. In the end, they decided to bring in Xhaka in order to balance their young team.
If Coventry sign the next Thomas in King, it would surely be the start of a transfer rush this summer. But that’s only if West Brom don’t get there first.
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