Frank Lampard is reportedly looking to Serie A for his next signing as Coventry City boss. The Chelsea legend recently guided the Sky Blues to automatic promotion to the Premier League by winning the Championship title.
Lampard Eyes Juventus Forward
Rumours are already swirling about the players who Coventry could target in the summer transfer window upon their return to the top flight. A report in Italian news outlet Gazzetta dello Sport has claimed that Juventus forward Lois Openda has emerged as a target for Coventry this summer.
It has been claimed that the Sky Blues have made contact with Juventus about the possibility of signing Openda, with suggestions that a move would be on a season-long loan with an obligation for the move to become permanent the following year.
Openda's Juventus Struggles
Openda first joined Juventus from RB Leipzig on deadline day last summer on a loan deal, which was formally made permanent earlier this month. The Belgium international has scored just two goals across 34 appearances for the Serie A giants this season, with increased speculation that he will leave Turin just a year after making the switch from Leipzig.
Reports have suggested that Juventus will pay €40million (£34.6million) to sign Openda on a permanent basis, and it has been suggested that the Italian club would not be able to receive the same or similar fee this summer should they decide to cash in on the 26-year-old.
Coventry's Other Transfer Plans
The rumour about Openda comes after claims that Coventry are poised to complete the permanent signing of goalkeeper Carl Rushworth. Rushworth has impressed with the Sky Blues this season, with Lampard and Co. determined to sign the shot-stopper on a permanent basis as they prepare for Premier League football next season.
The 24-year-old left Brighton last summer to join Coventry on loan, and now the Sky Blues are seemingly looking to ensure the goalkeeper remains at the Coventry Build Society Arena on a permanent basis.
Lampard's Commitment to Coventry
Lampard’s future at Coventry has been the subject of speculation following the club’s promotion to the Premier League, but the former England international outlined his commitment to the Sky Blues ahead of their return to the top flight.
“I’m not sure anyone’s questioned my commitment to the club because of what we’ve done, and I feel like I’ve been committed since I’ve been here,” Lampard recently told Sky Sports. “Maybe they do but I have no problem with it, no worries with it. I’m manager of the football club. We’re in a great moment of enjoying a promotion to the Premier League.
“We know there’s a lot of work to be done, which we’re going to broach after this last game (against Watford), specifically, and I think the owner said that. So that’s fine, he’s the boss. I’m happy. I don’t get involved in rumours because in my job you’d be very smart to just focus on the job in hand and not get involved in that stuff.”
