Exclusive: Coventry City, Jack Rudoni transfer twist predicted - "someone will step in" | OneFootball

Jack Rudoni recently revealed his stance regarding his long-term future at the CBS Arena

Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie believes that Jack Rudoni could still depart Coventry City due to his Premier League potential despite the midfielder's recently revealed stance amid lengthy transfer speculation.

The playmaker has become Frank Lampard's star man in the 10 months in which the ex-Chelsea and England icon has been in charge, leading to an array of Premier League and Championship sides, who are expected to challenge for promotion to the top-flight, keen on prizing the 24-year-old away from the CBS Arena.

Rudoni was instrumental in City's rise to the play-off semi-finals under Lampard in the second period of last season, and has picked up where he left off in Sky Blue as the West Midlands side notched a remarkable tally of 12 goals in their opening three second-tier encounters against Hull City, Derby County and Queens Park Rangers.

Such form has only increased expectations that City can bring their lengthy Premier League hiatus to an end, and such aims will only be aided if their star man remains in CV6 for the long run.

Lee Hendrie makes Jack Rudoni transfer prediction amid midfielder's recent Coventry City stance

Following his move from Huddersfield Town last summer, the former AFC Wimbledon man has become one of the Championship's hottest properties, scoring 10 times and registering 12 assists last season, and already netting twice and posting one assist in the early weeks of the current term.

Amid interest from the likes of Newcastle United, Leeds United and Southampton across the summer, Football League World exclusively revealed that the Sky Blues had placed a £15m valuation on Rudoni, before the creative midfielder expressed his desire to remain at the CBS despite strong links to the Saints.

Speaking exclusively to FLW, Hendrie believes this is great news for all concerned with the club, although he does eventually expect their prized asset to make the step-up to the top-flight.

"I had this conversation the other day with a couple of Coventry fans. I think Jack Rudoni has blossomed even more so," Hendrie told FLW.

"I've always been a keen admirer of him. His goals, his enthusiasm to get in the box and on the ball, and he's really shined under Frank.

"I actually think someone will step in and try and take Jack Rudoni, because I think he's worthy of making that step-up into the Premier League, I really do," the former Aston Villa midfielder claimed.

"What club and who is yet to be (decided). But, there's no doubt. I think if they lost him to one of the 'promotion pushers' in the Championship, that would be a massive disappointment.

"It would be a massive disappointment if they lost him, because he's been such an integral player for them, particularly last season. You take him out of the team, you're losing goals, creativity and the energy and excitement they have there," he added.

"This does happen. We're getting closer and closer to the deadline. I think we're going to see a lot of movement, and he's been talked about quite a lot this summer about a potential move.

"I know Frank wouldn't want to get rid of him, but it's all about the club maybe. They will get decent money for him, and they'd have to replace him, but I've got a feeling he will leave the football club.

"I think something might just come in that will turn his head," Hendrie predicts.

Coventry City supporters will hope Jack Rudoni transfer prediction doesn't happen

Whilst nobody of a Sky Blue persuasion could begrudge Rudoni of a Premier League move that would complete his recent rapid rise from the EFL's lower reaches, it would come as a crushing blow to lose him at a time when very little business can be conducted.

Of course, his recent stance has only boosted supporters' optimism, although it must be noted that there have been several instances of transfer U-turns in the past.

However, Rudoni clearly has a strong rapport with all connected to the Sky Blues due to his work rate, technical ability and composure on the ball, which has made him one of the division's most well-rounded players. Performers of such an ilk are becoming increasingly rarer in the modern game, hence why an eight-figure valuation has been placed on his services.

If a U-turn were to unexpectedly occur between now and Monday, City would also be in a vulnerable position when searching for a replacement, as rival clubs would undoubtedly boost the short-term valuation of their own key players due to the fee which Coventry would likely receive for the Carshalton-born man.