Coventry City are interested in a deal for Aston Villa full-back Kaine Kesler-Hayden, reporter Alan Nixon has said.
Coventry City are preparing for another year of Championship football after coming up short in the play-offs.
It was an admirable effort from Frank Lampard and co given the start to the season under Mark Robins, but the Sky Blues must now recharge and go again ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Coventry City boss Frank Lampard
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City have spent well in recent years and will likely do so again as they look to go one further in the new season, and reports have linked the club with a new transfer target.
Writing on his Patreon, reporter Alan Nixon has said Coventry City are targeting a move for Kaine Kesler-Hayden, who is heading back to parent club Aston Villa after a successful season on loan at fellow Championship side Preston North End.
Nixon writes that Villa are willing to sell Kesler-Hayden as they look to trim their squad for next season and the talented full-back is among the players who they are willing to sell. The Sky Blues will not be the only ones keen, but they are at the front of the chasing pack.
Coventry City are willing to spend £5m plus extras on Kesler-Hayden, though it remains to be seen if that is enough to prise him away from Premier League and win the race for his signature.
Kesler-Hayden’s Championship experience
Rumoured Coventry City target Kesler-Hayden has gained a good amount of experience away from Aston Villa since breaking through the academy, with much of his game time coming in the Championship.
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Across spells with Plymouth Argyle, Huddersfield Town and, most recently, Preston North End, the 22-year-old has made 82 second tier appearances.
coventry city, Coventry City eyeing £5m deal for Aston Villa talent
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51 outings for Preston marks across all competitions marks the most he has played for a single club across his entire career though, chipping in with two goals and three assists along the way. He operated on both the left and right flanks for the Lilywhites, impressing at full-back and wing-back.
Coventry City’s options
Milan van Ewijk is a Championship standout at right-back for Coventry City but following the failure to win promotion, it is not out of the question that the Dutchman heads elsewhere.
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In that event, Kesler-Hayden would be a fine replacement. However, it could also been that the Aston Villa man is being considered as an option on the left, where it is likely that City will strengthen.
Lampard currently has Jay Dasilva and Jake Bidwell as options on the left, and given the progression at City over recent years, it seems feasible that they target an upgrade this summer.