Coventry City are pushing for a deal for Carl Rushworth after Brighton set a £30m price tag on the 25-year-old goalkeeper. The Sky Blues have already seen their £25m bid turned down, but Frank Lampard’s side remain determined to land their top target this summer.
What’s the Rushworth situation?
Carl Rushworth spent last season on loan at Coventry City and impressed enough to win three club awards, including player of the season. He was also named in the Championship team of the season as the Sky Blues won the division. Brighton now want £30m for the England international, but Coventry have only managed to put £25m on the table so far.
Andy Marshall, the former Coventry goalkeeper, told BBC CWR that Rushworth is worth the asking price in today’s market. “Is any player worth £100m, £120m, £170m? I don’t know,” Marshall said. “But if you look at the current market, yes, you probably would argue that he is worth it.”
Why does Coventry City want Rushworth?
With the new Premier League season looming, Coventry need more than two goalkeepers in their squad. Rushworth’s form last term - 46 games, 28 wins, 11 draws, seven losses - makes him the clear first choice for Mark Robins’ side. The Sky Blues are currently top of the Championship on 95 points, 11 clear of Ipswich Town, and have scored 97 goals while conceding 45.
Marshall added that Brighton hold all the cards right now. “You totally understand why people want to see him at the club, but these things play out because Brighton will want the best deal for him,” he said. “Unfortunately, Brighton hold all the cards on this at the moment.”
What happens next?
Coventry will keep working on a deal, but Brighton’s valuation remains a hurdle. The Sky Blues have other options in mind if Rushworth stays put, but the England international’s long-term future at Brighton is still unclear. Rushworth’s recent form - he kept 18 clean sheets in 46 games last season - keeps him in demand across the top two tiers.
League standing: Coventry City sit 1st in the Championship with 95 points from 46 games, 11 points clear of Ipswich Town. They have scored 97 goals and conceded 45, with recent form reading WWWDD.
