Coventry City have reportedly submitted their third bid for Swansea City captain Matt Grimes in a continued effort to bolster the squad at Frank Lampard’s disposal.
It is unknown currently as to the true value of the offer, but it’s reported that Swansea City want around £4 million for the experienced midfielder.
However, this figure isn’t likely to fend off interest from the Sky Blues.
Journalists Darren Witcoop and Tom Coleman have both reported that Coventry City and Swansea City are close to striking a deal for the midfielder.
Coventry’s Struggles This Season
Sky Blues fans, who have so far witnessed a significant drop in performances from previous seasons, will likely welcome this news.
In their previous campaign, Coventry finished ninth, just nine points outside the playoffs and the season prior was their infamous playoff final run.
So for Frank Lampard’s side this season to be currently sat in 12th is undeniably a rather disappointing situation. This, of course, cannot entirely be blamed on Frank Lampard who coached just his 13th Coventry game in a recent 2-1 home win to Watford.
Their problems this season are largely in part due to the shortcomings of long-standing coach Mark Robins who was dismissed by owner Doug King.
This came after a string of poor results in which his side was in 17th place in gameweek 14.
It was not until the 18th round of matches in the Championship that Lampard was at the helm. Since he joined, of his 13 games there have been seven wins, three draws and only three losses.
Life Under Lampard
Lampard’s side has risen since his appointment but with six points still separating them from 6th place Middlesbrough, the time seems right to strengthen.
Losing Grimes, who predominantly plays as a defensive midfielder but can also be deployed as a central midfielder, is likely to be a strong blow to the Swans supporters which is unlikely to be softened by the fee.
Swansea are just seven points above the relegation zone and losing their captain of over five years at this crucial time will no doubt also be a source of frustration to Swans Head Coach Luke Williams who has only until the third of February to source a suitable replacement.
Grimes’ Time at Swansea
This January marked Grimes’ 10th anniversary since joining the Welsh side and has featured for them on 333 occasions, 302 of which are in the Championship.
He will bring to the Coventry Building Society Arena a plethora of experience in the Championship and also possesses the ability to contribute with goals and assists while still protecting his backline.
Grimes will already have some familiar faces upon joining Coventry in Jake Bidwell and Joel Latibeaudiere who have both previously spent time at Swansea under the stewardship of Grimes and who both turn out regularly for the Sky Blues and may be able to help their ex-captain settle into the side quickly.
How successful or otherwise this deal turns out is yet to be seen. But with just six days left for teams to get transfers done, this is likely a deal all parties will want to get resolved quickly and with his experience in the league, it is fair to assume that Coventry fans can expect to see Grimes turning out for them soon.
The next game for both sides is Swansea hosting Coventry, so the Swansea.com Stadium faithful do not have long to wait to give their skipper a proper farewell after a decade-long era of service for their club.