With the Championship season now at an end and the playoffs set to provide one last piece of drama, West Bromwich Albion and champions Coventry City have already set their focus towards the transfer window.
The two couldn’t be in more contrasting positions if they tried, but they do share the same transfer goal this summer.
As Coventry and Frank Lampard set their sights on replicating Sunderland and Leeds United, West Brom will be desperate for stability next season – the kind that one target could offer.
West Brom and Coventry battling to sign new defender
For Coventry, the blueprint is clear. Recruitment will be the key to any potential Premier League success, as will tactical change.
It’s how Sunderland survived and more this season, splashing out on the likes of Granit Xhaka. And it’s how Leeds also all but confirmed their survival, switching to a 3-5-2 system to turn their season around.
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West Brom may yet burst that bubble for the Sky Blues, however. They’re out for improvements of their own in a desperate attempt to make sure Premier League dreams do not become a lost fantasy altogether next season.
According to TEAMTalk, both Coventry and West Brom are battling to sign Leon King from Rangers to commence their transfer business this summer.
The 22-year-old has impressed on loan at Ayr United this season, picking up his club’s Player of the Year award, and Coventry are now firmly in the mix to secure his signature.
The Baggies, meanwhile, are also sniffing around and have been joined by Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley – sparking a frantic battle to land King’s signature.
With so much potential after an excellent campaign, however, it’s easy to see why that race has commenced.
Why King could become the new Bobby Thomas
It’s not always the big names that eventually turn into excellent business. Leeds proved that by snatching Anton Stach from Hoffenheim last summer. Now, Coventry can go one step further, and welcome an impressive Scottish talent in the form of King.
The 22-year-old proved that he’s ready for the top flight this season. It’s just a matter of which top division he thrives in, with Rangers yet to have their say on their loanee.
“I’m interested to see Leon King this year. I think when I did watch him last season, he was like a big Rolls Royce, very elegant on the ball. He came out, kept possession and looked very comfortable for someone of such a young age.” (Ex-Rangers star Alan Hutton)
For Lampard, King could quickly become a new defensive leader and even his new Bobby Thomas. The latter has thrived in the last two seasons, finally earning his Premier League award as a result.
Like King – who looks set to leave Ibrox after a difficult few years – Thomas has had to take a step backwards in order to move forward in his career, leaving Burnley with just a solitary first-team appearance under his belt and after a string of loans in the EFL.
Now he’s front and centre under Lampard, although the top flight needs more than just one standout defender.
When Coventry are up against some of the world’s best sides, turning towards both Thomas and emerging star King would certainly be ideal.
The Rangers loanee has been highly-regarded for some time now and if minutes fail to arrive at Ibrox, then a Premier League offer should be all too tempting 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. As impressive as King has been, he’ll need experience around him if he is to arrive for his debut campaign in the Premier League.
The Sunderland blueprint suggests adding Premier League experience is the way to go. They decided to welcome Xhaka, balancing their young squad as a result.
If Coventry are to sign their next Thomas in King, then it must be the start of a transfer flurry this summer. That’s if West Brom don’t get there first, however.
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