Coventry City set to sign Ipswich Town ace in £4m move to solve glaring issue for Frank Lampard

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Coventry City are set to complete the capture of a long-standing summer target ahead of the transfer window deadline.

Coventry City and Ipswich Town are two favourites for promotion in the 2025/26 Championship campaign, and the two clubs are entangled in a deal on deadline day.

With Premier League sides targeting Bobby Thomas, Coventry fans will be desperate to see the club retain their star central defender past the deadline.

Throughout the summer window, Frank Lampard’s side have made several defensive recruits, with Kaine Kesler-Hayden and Miguel Brau arriving at full-back.

Coventry are now set to sign a centre-back from one of their direct rivals around the summit of the Championship table, Ipswich.

• READ MORE: Middlesbrough’s deadline day strategy includes new striker signing and firm Hayden Hackney stance

Coventry City to sign Luke Woolfenden from Ipswich Town for £4m

Reports emerged earlier in the window that Ipswich had rejected a bid from Coventry for Luke Woolfenden, but now the Sky Blues are poised to complete the capture.

Despite reporter Ben Jacobs outlining on X that Ipswich had “no intention to sell” the central defender, Kieran McKenna has been forced to unwillingly let the 26-year-old depart to a promotion rival.

Sky Sports News report: “Ipswich defender Luke Woolfenden is set to arrive at Coventry today ahead of a permanent move.

“He has been given permission to have a medical. The total package is worth £4m.”

After Ipswich’s recent draw at home to Derby County, McKenna told the BBC: “Luke’s made it clear for quite a while that he wants to go, so we’ll see what that situation ends up in.”

Amid the uncertainty over his future, the Englishman has failed to feature for McKenna in any of Ipswich’s Championship clashes so far this season, with his only appearance coming in the Carabao Cup loss to Bromley.

Despite this, his vast EFL experience will be a major benefit for Coventry, with the Sky Blues solving a glaring squad depth issue by signing the former Swindon Town loanee.

• READ MORE: Bolton Wanderers ‘poised to sign’ two-time Championship promotion winner

Coventry City signing Luke Woolfenden solves big issue for Frank Lampard

Currently, Coventry sports only two recognised central defenders in their ranks, comprising the key duo Thomas and Liam Kitching.

With Joel Latibeaudiere sidelined until late September, an injury to either one of Lampard’s key defensive duo would spell serious trouble for selection.

Despite sitting fifth in the table, Coventry have conceded six goals in just four outings, which places even more importance on the capture of Woolfenden from Ipswich.

Woolfenden is not the only imminent departure from Portman Road ahead of the summer transfer window deadline.

Centre-forward Ali Al-Hamadi is set to join League One outfit Luton Town on loan with a £3m obligation to buy.

Fin Barbrook will join third tier Lincoln City on loan, and Chiedozie Ogbene will join Ipswich’s Championship rivals Sheffield United on loan for the 2025/26 season.