Coventry City striker who Frank Lampard has ‘confidence in’ edges closer to exit

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Coventry City have had a relatively quiet summer transfer window.

After Dan Ballard’s incredible last-minute header in the play-off semi-final for Sunderland, Frank Lampard has been forced to lick his wounds and recover ahead of the new Championship campaign.

Kaine Kesler-Hayden has joined from Aston Villa in what is a standout move for the Sky Blues, but there has been relatively little action throughout the rest of the summer.

Carl Rushworth, who has been tipped for England, is another excellent addition, but now Coventry look as though they may let go of one player who struggled for consistency in 2024/25.

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Norman Bassette subject of significant FC Utrecht interest

Norman Bassette made 25 appearances in the Championship for the Sky Blues last season, scoring twice. However, he played just 904 minutes and was very much a rotational striker for Lampard.

Now, Sacha Tavolieri has reported that Dutch outfit FC Utrecht are working with Coventry to arrange a loan-to-buy deal for the Belgium international.

Discussions are underway between the two clubs, while Standard Liege also remain keen on the services of the 20-year-old who came through the ranks of French side SM Caen.

Bassette made his debut for his national team in November, featuring in the final moments of a 1-0 victory over Israel in a UEFA Nations League A clash but he has not been called up since.

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Norman Bassette may have been destined for great things under Frank Lampard

Injuries for Haji Wright in 2024/25 saw Bassette take on more responsibility at different times over the course of the campaign.

However, he never truly established himself as a quality Championship striker and if Coventry do have Premier League ambitions, then he may not be the best player to provide cover for those in his position.

Nevertheless, Bassette is assured of himself, and in January he spoke of how Lampard feels about him. He said (via: BBC Sport): “The team has good potential. The new staff that has come is better than before.

“I don’t have a negative feeling. I have a good feeling for the future. The new gaffer has confidence in me and I have good confidence in the new staff always. Every time I walk on this pitch, I work hard and I’m very happy.”