Coventry City ‘very optimistic’ of blocking Haji Wright move as West Ham plot swoop
Championship leaders Coventry City are “very optimistic” that they will be able to keep hold of striker Haji Wright this summer, sources have told Football Insider.
The Sky Blues are just one point away from securing promotion to the Premier League, and Frank Lampard has already made it clear to the club hierarchy that he wants to keep all of his key players for next term.
The former England international is adamant that Wright will play a key role in his plans again in 2026-27, while sources say that he feels he needs the 28-year-old’s goals for the team to have any chance of survival.
West Ham have been heavily linked with a move for the frontman in recent months, and they are prepared to mount another push for him this summer.
Wright is understood to be happy at the CBS Arena at the moment, and is looking forward to the opportunity of playing top-flight football.
West Ham interest won’t fade with relegation
Former Coventry assistant manager Mick Brown told Football Insider last weekend that West Ham’s interest in Wright won’t fade this summer, even if they are relegated from the Premier League.
The Hammers are still positioned precariously at the foot of the table despite their 4-0 win over Wolves last time out, and they are still facing a battle to consolidate their place in the top flight.
| Stats | Haji Wright | Taty Castellanos | Pablo |
| Apps (Starts) | 36 (29) | 12 (12) | 8 (6) |
| Goals (per 90) | 16 (0.6) | 4 (0.38) | – |
| xG | 16.3 | 3.39 | 0.64 |
| Shots on Target per 90 | 1.27 | 1.04 | 0.19 |
| Conversion Rate | 17.8% | 14.8% | 0% |
| Big Chances Missed | 18 | 4 | 1 |
However, Brown insisted that Wright’s record in the Championship will have seen the East London outfit identify him as a clear transfer target for whichever division they end up in next term.
Only Swansea’s Zan Vipotnik has netted more than Wright’s 16 Championship goals so far this season, and the former Schalke man could yet reach the 20-goal mark for the first time in his three campaigns in English football.
He is set to enter the final year of his contract this summer, which is another clear reason why West Ham have him on their radar, but it is not likely to be easy to prise him away from the Midlands outfit.
Coventry backed to launch Kieran Trippier move this summer
Brown also recently told Football Insider that Coventry could make a move for Kieran Trippier, with the right-back set to become a free agent when he leaves Newcastle at the end of the season.
The former England international is expected to have a wide array of options available to him for his next move, but the Sky Blues could be one of them if they get their promotion bid over the line.
Brown indicated that signing a player of the 35-year-old’s quality and reputation would provide a big boost for his former employers, as well as giving their survival chances a huge shot in the arm.
He noted that “experience and know-how” are vital for a club who are making their first foray into the top division for some time, and he clearly feels that Trippier could be the perfect man to provide that.
Trippier’s list of potential suitors is expected to be extensive, but Coventry may fancy their chances of tempting him with a completely different challenge.
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