Coventry City 'confident' of agreeing Carl Rushworth deal amid Newcastle hijack threat
Coventry City are confident they are leading the race to sign Carl Rushworth despite growing interest from Newcastle United.
The 25-year-old spend last season on loan with the Sky Blues, as he won Championship Player of the Season and helped Frank Lampard's team reach the Premier League.
As a result, Coventry are determined to bring him back, but after their new £25million offer was rejected by Brighton, rival clubs have now joined the race.
Former Coventry City assistant manager Mick Brown told Football Insider that despite the interest from Newcastle, Lampard's side believe they are in pole position to land Rushworth.
The Sky Blues have now seen two formal offers rejected by Brighton, first £20million, then £25million, as they edge closer to the Seagulls' £30million asking price.
Newcastle's desire to sign a new goalkeeper has also placed him firmy on their radar, with Eddie Howe keen to strengthen his squad, and scouts impressed by his displays.
Will Coventry City complete a deal for Carl Rushworth?
Brown told Football Insider on 14 July that Coventry are leading the race to sign Rushworth and believe a deal will get done, although they had been in no rush.
Newcastle's emergence as contenders for his signature will now likely force Lampard's side to act quickly, or miss losing out on their top target to Premier League rivals.
However, the club remain confident that they are in the best position to land Rushworth given his connections at the CBS Arena, and are pushing to get it done.
"Coventry still want to sign Rushworth and they're pushing to make it happen," Brown told Football Insider.
"Regardless of any interest from elsewhere, they know he's the one they want, they're confident they can do a deal, and I expect he is also keen to return to Coventry.
"It was an excellent season for everybody involved last time out, so it makes sense to reuinite that squad, especially with Rushworth who was arguably their best player.
"Coventry know they have to strengthen their squad, but they want to bring their goalkeeper back first and foremost or they will be immediately weakened from last season.
"If they were to miss out on Rushworth, it's going to be hard to bring in a goalkeeper of his quality from elsewhere, so they are pushing to get it done.
"Of course other clubs are going to be interested in him, but as far as Coventry are concerned, they should be the front-runners."
Could Newcaslte United hijack Rushworth's move?
Coventry's drawn-out attempts to land Rushworth have inevitably invited other clubs to join the race, with Newcaslte the most high-profile to do so.
The Magpies are aiming to sign a new goalkeeper to upgrade on Nick Pope amid doubts about his future, while Aaron Ramsdale returned to Southampton after his loan.
Brown told Football Insider on 21 July that Rushworth is seen as a leading target for Newcastle and they could look to capitalise on Coventry's rejected transfer offers.
Howe's side have identified the Brighton shot-stopper as a clear upgrade on their current options as they continue to weigh up a number of targets in his position.
The Magpies could move quickly to agree terms ahead of their rivals, and will need to do so given the strength of Coventry's interest and their desire to do a deal.