Football Insider exclusive as Coventry midfielder Jack Rudoni stares across a split image towards manager Frank Lampard.
Football Insider exclusive as Coventry midfielder Jack Rudoni stares across a split image towards manager Frank Lampard.
Coventry City are "confident" that they will be able to keep star midfielder Jack Rudoni if they can stay in the Premier League, sources have told Football Insider.
The 25-year-old has excelled for the Sky Blues in recent years, and is already catching the eye in the top flight this season.
Rudoni's form has attracted interest from the likes of Everton and Leeds United, but Frank Lampard's side are not panicking over their star man.
Sources say that Coventry believe Rudoni will sign a new contract if they can survive relegation this season and establish themselves in the top tier.
The former AFC Wimbledon man is currently tied down at the CBS Arena until the summer of 2028, but the club are hopeful of keeping him beyond that.
Rudoni is viewed as a crucial cog in their push for survival and will not be sold in the middle of the season under any circumstances.
Everton 'ready to pounce' on Jack Rudoni
Coventry have enjoyed a bright start on their return to the Premier League, but now sit just one place and one point above the relegation zone.
Rudoni is already their top scorer in league action with three strikes, and is the only member of Lampard's squad so has netted more than once so far.
He is central to everything about the Sky Blues' success, and it is understood that the club are doing everything in their power to keep hold of him.
Football Insider revealed on Monday that Everton are "ready to pounce" on a deal for the Englishman in the coming months.
However, Coventry are determined to avoid giving them the chance to swoop in, and hope that Rudoni will be willing to commit his long-term future to the club.
The midfielder's reputation is growing significantly at the moment, and that will not make it easy for the Midlands outfit moving forward.
Frank Lampard key to surprise Fikayo Tomori move
Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider back in October that Lampard could give Coventry the "edge" in the race to sign centre-back Fikayo Tomori next summer.
The AC Milan defender is expected to become a free agent when his contract expires next summer, and he is already being linked with several Premier League clubs.
Lampard previously worked with the England international during his time in charge of Chelsea, and Brown believes that their personal connection could give Coventry a genuine chance of landing Tomori.
However, they must survive relegation if they want to be in the hunt for the 28-year-old, as his reputation is too big to play Championbship football.