Coventry City’s next step in Charlie Hughes pursuit revealed as Frank Lampard suffers third transfer blow

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Coventry City are still interested in Hull City defender Charlie Hughes, but EFL Analysis can exclusively reveal the Sky Blues’ pursuit may end soon.

The West Midlands outfit sold Luis Binks to Danes Bronby for £2.5 million this summer, while other centre-half and Sheffield United target Bobby Thomas won’t go unless replacements are introduced – however, Premier League clubs are beginning to swoop in on the situation.

Hull, meanwhile, are under a transfer fee restriction for two windows, with a third suspended for 12 months pending any further rule breaks. The Tigers are not allowed to pay loan fees either.

That means, any money made off their own player sales is useless given they cannot put that cash back into their team. Hull have rejected two of Coventry’s bids for Hughes – who joined the club last summer – as a result.

The Sky Blues are still interested, but EFL Analysis can reveal they are changing their stance on the player now.

Exclusive: Coventry City will move on quickly if Hull City won’t budge on Charlie Hughes

24-year-old Hughes’ move to Coventry is less likely to happen now, according to EFL Analysis’ Chief Football Correspondent Graeme Bailey.

Now that the Tigers’ situation is becoming clearer, owner Acun Ilicali will be less inclined to sell his players.

Bailey understands Cov will move swiftly on if they don’t make progress on a deal for Hughes very soon.

He said: “I’m told that the ban makes the sale of Charlie Hughes unlikely at this point. For Coventry, it all ties in with Bobby Thomas who may or may not be leaving. They want to keep Bobby Thomas AND add another defender, ideally Charlie Hughes.

“I do think we’ll see Coventry move on quite quickly from Hughes if they don’t get him in the next few days but they are fighting to get that done. I think the reason for Hull, the way they’re viewing it is they can’t use the money to buy new players anyway, so what’s the point? It’s not impossible but it makes it a lot harder for Coventry to get him.”

City have already put in a bid as high £7 million for the defender.

Coventry City should pursue Luis Binks replacement alternatives

Frank Lampard has made no secret of his need for more centre-backs before the window slams shut.

Speaking about his side’s situation this week, he said: “We need centre halves to come in, for sure. And at the moment we have Joel [Latibeaudiere] who’s not fit and Bidders [Jake Bidwell] there, who can and has done the job.

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“Of course we know we’ve got Bobby [Thomas] and Kitch [Liam Kitching]. We know what we need, I certainly know what we need and that’s fine.”

According to talkSPORT’s Ben Jacob, Lampard was told Ipswich ‘have no intention to sell’ Luke Woolfenden after Coventry made a bid for him this week.

The Town star has made 215 appearances for the club following his rise from their academy.

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Tyrese Asante could suit what Coventry are looking for, and the Netherlands Under-21 international may well be an alternative to Hughes. Galatasaray showed serious interest in bringing him to Turkey last year but the move collapsed.

Coventry and Lampard will need to move quickly to find a Hughes replacement if they have to back out of a move for the Tigers star.