Coventry City face ‘crucial’ 48 hours as Southampton make serious approach for Jack Rudoni

Add as preferred source on Google

After keeping hold of their star man throughout the summer, Coventry City could now be set to lose Jack Rudoni as Championship rivals Southampton have made a move.

Last season, Frank Lampard was able to steer Coventry City away from the bottom end of the Championship table right into the play-offs. The Sky Blues were defeated there by eventual winners Sunderland, but showed enough quality to make them contenders for promotion again in 2025/26.

At the heart of everything that went right for Coventry last season was Jack Rudoni, with the midfielder registering an impressive return of nine goals and 13 assists across the campaign.

Suffice it to say, the 24-year-old caught attention from elsewhere with those displays. However, Rudoni had said he enjoys working with Lampard, and there has been very little noise from the player himself about a summer exit so far.

• READ MORE: The real reason Sunderland fans joke about Jack Rudoni’s price tag amid Coventry City exit talk

Southampton make approach for Jack Rudoni

We had previously revealed that Coventry were prepared to sell Rudoni, especially if Premier League interest emerges this summer.

However, the last we heard, Lampard was desperate to keep Rudoni and had told Coventry City chiefs that retaining the player was key to helping the Sky Blues build on what they achieved last season.

Now, the latest from Daily Telegraph reporter Mike McGrath suggests things could change very quickly, with Southampton pushing to sign Rudoni.

McGrath tweeted: “Southampton in talks with Coventry over deal for Jack Rudoni. Next two days crucial for deal to be struck for 24-year-old midfielder.”

It is unknown what kind of fee would trigger a sale for Coventry, whether the Sky Blues would even sanction a sale to a fellow Championship club, or if Rudoni himself would want the move, but this certainly feels like the most active approach for the player so far this summer.

Now, we wait to see what the next 48 hours bring with this transfer saga.

• READ MORE: Frank Lampard was left frustrated with one factor in Derby County’s win over Coventry City in March

Coventry City have to resist offer for Jack Rudoni if they want to get promoted

Obviously, we know Frank Lampard’s stance on this situation, and it would be a massive blow for him to lose his best player at this stage.

We previously stated Coventry should resist selling Rudoni in the wake of Newcastle United’s reported interest. He’s under contract, Coventry are not under any kind of financial pressure to sell, and they’re well-placed to have a shot at promotion this season.

The idea of selling to a league rival, then, is ludicrous really. We’d be very surprised if this deal goes ahead, unless Rudoni himself starts pushing for it to happen.

Getting promoted with Rudoni in the squad will be a big challenge for Coventry considering the teams around them. Getting promoted without him, however, would be near impossible.