Frank Lampard may breathe sigh of Coventry City relief amid huge Southampton transfer demand | OneFootball

Southampton are asking for £50 million for Mateus Fernandes, and that should aid Frank Lampard and Coventry City in keeping Jack Rudoni.

It is expected to be an extremely busy final few weeks of the summer transfer window, and both Coventry City and Southampton are expected to be among the busiest clubs.

One deal that may not come to fruition, though, albeit one that will be regularly speculated on, is the possible transfer of Jack Rudoni, which may have hit the brakes somewhat after recent reports.

Coventry, who missed out on promotion in dramatic circumstances last season as they suffered a last-gasp defeat to Sunderland in the play-off semi-finals, are expected to challenge for promotion this season.

The Sky Blues began their campaign with a goalless draw against Hull City before a 1-0 defeat of Luton Town in the first round of the EFL Cup, whilst Southampton have begun with back-to-back wins.

Saints, just relegated from the Premier League, have been unconvincing in their performances, coming from behind to defeat Wrexham late on at St Mary’s in the league before squeezing past League One side Northampton Town in the cup.

West Ham United target Mateus Fernandes scored the only goal of that game at Sixfields, and it could well be that Saints’ asking price for the Portuguese midfielder allows Coventry to retain one of their key players in Rudoni.

Saints could put off buyers for Fernandes

Having had a £30 million reportedly rejected, West Ham United have now apparently been quoted a £50 million fee, which would be a club record initial fee, for the services of Mateus Fernandes.

The former Sporting CP midfielder, who has previously been linked with Juventus, is technically excellent and him playing in the Championship remains surely extremely unlikely.

However, asking the Irons for a club-record fee could well put West Ham and other potential suitors off Fernandes, and that could have a knock-on effect for their pursuit of Rudoni.

It is believed that Southampton want the former Huddersfield Town midfielder, but the expectation is that any move would only be as a replacement for the outgoing Fernandes.

If clubs are put off by the fee for Fernandes and Saints manage to keep hold of him, then it is therefore seemingly not possible for the south coast outfit to make a move for Rudoni, with Coventry setting a £15 million asking price for their star midfielder, as exclusively revealed by Football League World.

Busy final few weeks for Southampton and Coventry

Coventry have been linked with a club record move themselves as they target Hull City defender Charlie Hughes, and it would be no surprise for the Sky Blues to make further moves in this window after the signings of Miguel Angel Brau, Kaine Kesler-Hayden and Carl Rushworth so far.

Frank Lampard, though, has turned Rudoni into an all-round performer in the Championship, and someone who would be the spearhead of any promotion push from City this season.

Rudoni was Coventry’s top scorer last season and has emerged as one of the very best players in the division, with the former AFC Wimbledon man playing under his boyhood hero.

Saints are expected to remain busy in the window with Fernandes’ future still up in the air alongside the likes of Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Tyler Dibling and Samuel Edozie.

If Dibling was to depart, with Everton having had bids rejected for the England U21 international, then that could also have an impact, with Southampton even less likely to sell Fernandes due to the lack of a financial requirement to do so.

If Southampton stick to their guns on their asking price for Fernandes, though, then the departure of Rudoni from Coventry has become a very slim possibility; and that is a major boost for Lampard and the club as they target a return to the top-flight.