Bobby Thomas could ‘quit’ Coventry City as West Ham swoop
Coventry City star Bobby Thomas is attracting interest from a number of Premier League clubs including both West Ham and Everton.
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Thomas could be tempted to leave Coventry if they miss out on promotion at the end of the season.
Frank Lampard‘s side are currently top of the Championship, with an eight-point gap separating them from the playoff places, and are hopeful of automatic promotion.
Thomas, 24, has played a key role at the heart of their defence but his performances have inspired interest in a potential January transfer.
Coventry have no plans to let him go mid-way through the season as he remains a crucial part of their plans, but may be powerless to stop him leaving in the summer.
Bobby Thomas could leave Coventry amid West Ham links
The Sky Blues’ form faltered slightly during the busy December schedule, but back-to-back wins have put them back on track to win the title as things stand.
Should they miss out, however, a number of Premier League clubs are poised to land their best players with Thomas ranking highly on multiple clubs’ lists.
“I watched Bobby Thomas a lot during his time at Barnsley,” Brown told Football Insider.
“He’s since gone to Coventry and proved his class at that level, his performances this season have shown he’s more than capable and he’s been very impressive.
“So somebody like West Ham, who need to be looking at centre-backs, are going to have him on their radar and could be tempted to make a move.
“If he isn’t, for whatever reason, he should be because he’s the type of player they need.
“At the moment, with Coventry where they are, I can’t imagine they’re going to be particularly interested in letting him go to West Ham.
“So maybe it’s something that will happen at the end of the season, if Coventry miss out on promotion he could be convinced to move on.
“They’re comfortable at the moment but it only takes a few bad results, you get sucked into the playoffs and then you’re stuck in the Championship next season.
“If a Premier League club then comes in for him, of course he’s going to be interested. But there is a lot that has to happen between now and then.”
West Ham set sights on Championship talents
Thomas is not the only Championship star attracting interest from West Ham this month, with the club also keeping tabs on two midfielders from the second tier.
Brown told Football Insider on 20 January that West Ham are interested in Watford’s Imran Louza, who has impressed so far this season.
Watford are currently seventh in the Championship, but if they miss out on promotion come the end of the season, the 26-year-old is likely to move on.
Meanwhile, Football Insider exclusively revealed on 19 January that West Ham scouts are watching Hayden Hackney with a potential move in mind for the Middlesbrough star.
Hackney‘s current contract at Middlesbrough is set to run until 2027, and there is a growing feeling they could allow his departure for the right price.
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