Frank Lampard set sights on Coventry move to sign sign Chelsea defender Axel Disasi

Axel Disasi has emerged as an ambitious target for Coventry City as he is set to return to Chelsea following a loan spell at West Ham.

The 28-year-old spent the second half of the season at the London Stadium and played a crucial role in their battle against relegation, despite the eventual outcome.

Coventry are making plans to strengthen their squad after winning the Championship last time out, and could rival other top-flight clubs for the centre-back.

Former Coventry assistant manager Mick Brown told Football Insider that Frank Lampard has ambitious plans for Coventry and could use his Chelsea connections to land Disasi.

The Blues defender is widely expected to leave Stamford Bridge this summer after being cast aside, with a number of clubs keeping tabs on his situation.

Could Coventry City beat rivals to sign Axel Disasi?

Brown told Football Insider last month that Disasi's exit from West Ham is now inevitable, with the likes of Leeds United joining the race for his signature.

Following the Hammers' relegation, they have no chance of landing a permanent deal, with the centre-back keen to remain in the Premier League next season.

Chelsea are likely to demand a high price as they always do when selling players, but there is a belief Disasi could be available, and he would be a real coup for Coventry.

"Disasi has never been held in very high regard at Chelsea," Brown told Football Insider.

"But he got out of there, went to West Ham, became one of their most impressive and consistent players and gave them a real chance at staying up.

"They finished the season on 39 points, so you could say they were unlucky to go down, but he was a crucial part of the reason they got that many points.

"Now, could he go somewhere else? He will be keen to stay in the Premier League and it looks like he's going to be allowed to leave Chelsea.

"Frank Lampard coming up with Coventry, they're loooking to sign players who can make a difference for them at Premier League level, and he could certainly do that.

"They've got some good players there, Bobby Thomas for example, but Disasi would be an improvement on everybody they've currently got.

"Lampard will have his connections at Chelsea and I'm sure he'll be looking to use them to do a deal, that could give Coventry the edge if they want to get it done.

"But that's the sort of player they have to be looking at, he's established in the Premier League and he's shown he can be crucial for teams down the bottom of the table."

Will Frank Lampard's Chelsea connections help Coventry?

As part of their plans to lure Disasi to the CBS Arena, Lampard's Chelsea connections have been tipped as a key asset when negotiating with his former club.

Not only could it give Coventry the edge in talks with Chelsea, but the boss will be able to find out key details about transfer targets through people at the club.

Brown told Football Insider in April that Lampard could sign Chelsea stars for Coventry as he aims to utilise his connections to give his side a chance at ambitious targets.

Coventry are aware that they will need to invest in key areas if they are to avoid a relegation battle next term as they aim to replicate the success of Sunderland and Leeds.

Players on the fringes of Xabi Alonso's Chelsea squad, as well as young emerging talents, are believed to be on Lampard's radar ahead of the window opening.