(Credit: Imago)

Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

Thu 26 March 2026 9:30, UK

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Championship leaders Coventry City are keen to sign goalkeeper Carl Rushworth on a permanent deal if they are promoted to the Premier League, sources have told Football Insider.

Sky Blues boss Frank Lampard would “love to keep” the Brighton loanee on a permanent basis, but the 24-year-old is currently subject to interest from a whole host of Premier League clubs.

Coventry are keen to try and strike a deal with Brighton at a “reasonable price” this summer, but sources have indicated that their hopes of landing Rushworth are likely to come down to the extent of their own spending capabilities.

The Midlands side are on the verge of securing a return to the top flight for the first time since 2001, and promotion could provide them with the financial tools that they need in order to keep their star.

Rushworth has kept 14 clean sheets from just 39 games this season, and he has played a major role in Coventry’s charge towards the league title.

Brighton ready to consider Carl Rushworth sale

Football Insider revealed on Tuesday that Brighton will consider offers for Rushworth this summer, as he prepares to enter the final year of his contract at the Amex Stadium.

Bart Verbruggen is expected to remain as the Seagulls’ number one if they are able to resist interest in him from elsewhere, whilst talented youngster James Beadle is also returning from his loan spell.

There is a feeling behind the scenes at the South Coast outfit that this could be their final chance to cash in on Rushworth, and that looks set to play directly into the hands of the chasing pack.

He has been linked with several Premier League clubs in recent weeks, but with Coventry just a few games away from securing their own place at English football’s top table for next season, they feel that they are in with a chance as a result.

The stance from Lampard and Coventry regarding the possibility of a deal for Rushworth is abundantly clear, but it remains to be seen whether the financials behind it would work for them.

Frank Lampard’s chances of leaving Coventry for Chelsea

Lampard has transformed Coventry’s fortunes on the pitch since he took over in November 2024, with the club sitting 17th in the Championship at the time.

He now has them on the edge of securing a return to the Premier League, and his work at the CBS Arena has seen teams elsewhere take interest in his ability throughout the season.

The 47-year-old is now being linked with a surprise return to his former club Chelsea, as pressure continues to mount on their boss Liam Rosenior after their exit from the Champions League.

Lampard has emerged as one of the early favourites to take the reins at Stamford Bridge in the summer in the eyes of one major bookmaker.

However, he is currently only priced at odds of 8/1, with five big-name bosses ahead of him in the early running.

That will be music to the ears of Coventry, who will be keen to ensure that he sticks around to try and turn them into an established top-flight club once again.