Coventry City will aim to strengthen their squad ahead of next season after achieving Premier League promotion
Abbie Meehan Senior Sports Writer and Jake Bayliss
08:00, 30 May 2026
Coventry City manager Frank Lampard
Frank Lampard is preparing to lead Coventry City into the Premier League(Image: Marc Atkins, Getty Images)
Coventry City have waved goodbye to the Championship - but the second tier could still be of use to strengthen their squad ahead of next season.
Frank Lampard's side won the title to take the club back to the Premier League for the first time since 2001. Sunderland's impressive campaign following their promotion, which saw them secure a Europa League finish, will serve as motivation for the Sky Blues as they dream of following in their footsteps.
The summer transfer window is due to open on June 15 and will run until September 1. This gives Lampard just under three months to bring new faces to the club. With this in mind, Coventry Live has identified several Championship players the club could target this summer.
Sam Johnstone - Wolves
Sam Johnstone.
Sam Johnstone could return to the top flight this summer(Image: Stuart Leggett/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Sam Johnstone could be keen on a move from relegated Wolves in order to secure game time. The 33-year-old made 17 appearances during the 25/26 campaign as Rob Edwards opted for Jose Sa in the starting berth instead.
The veteran goalkeeper was linked with a few Premier League sides in April as their drop to the Championship was confirmed. Johnstone joined Wolves in 2024 after they paid £10m to Crystal Palace for his signature.
His experience between the sticks, having come through the ranks at Manchester United, could be a huge boost to any club in the Premier League.
Yerson Mosquera - Wolves
Mosquera featured more regularly as Wolves failed to win more than three games all season. The defender played 31 times during the 2025/26 campaign and has impressed during his time in the division, despite his team's struggles.
Mosquera's value is estimated at £10m by Transfermarkt and there is speculation he could depart in the coming months. Reports from his home country of Colombia claim that Wolves reached an agreement with the defender's representatives that he would be sold this summer.
Finn Azaz.
Finn Azaz has been a key player for Southampton(Image: Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images)
Finn Azaz - Southampton
The midfielder only arrived at Southampton last year, but their recent 'Spygate' controversy may trigger a wave of departures this summer. Azaz made 21 goal contributions for the Saints during the 25/26 season and has become a familiar presence in recent Republic of Ireland squads.
The 25-year-old arrived for £12m from Middlesbrough during last summer's transfer window and featured 49 times throughout the campaign. Following the Saints' removal from the play-off final and the ongoing controversy surrounding the club, certain players might consider departing before any further setbacks materialise. According to Transfermarkt, he is valued at around £15.5m.
Shea Charles - Southampton
Another Southampton player who could seek new pastures this summer is Shea Charles. The impressive midfielder was the hero in their FA Cup clash with Arsenal, netting the decisive goal to propel them into the competition's semi-finals.
He also struck the winning goal against Boro in the play-off semi-finals, though the strike ultimately proved meaningless due to the 'Spygate' controversy. Manchester United and Everton are both pursuing the 22-year-old, while Crystal Palace and Liverpool have also been linked with a move.
Shea Charles
Shea Charles has impressed for Southampton(Image: Robin Jones/Getty Images)
Charles has accumulated 33 caps for Northern Ireland and completed the full 90 minutes against Italy in the World Cup play-offs. Given his potential, any transfer this summer could cost in excess of £25m.
Zan Vipotnik - Swansea City
Zan Vipotnik is a young centre-forward who could potentially excel in the top flight. The 24-year-old netted 23 goals and registered three assists for Swansea City, crowning him the Championship's top scorer for the 25/26 campaign. This represented a significant improvement on Vipotnik's seven goals from the previous season.
In a bid to fend off potential suitors, the Swans secured his future by handing him a contract extension that ties him to the club until 2030. The striker is currently valued at £12m by Transfermarkt, though the Swans may look to recent high-profile Championship departures to demand a higher asking price for his services.
Article continues below
Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Content Image
£44
Sky
Get the deal here
Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.
Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.