Ipswich Town urged to sign Coventry City's Ben Sheaf | OneFootball

Ben Sheaf has been named as a realistic signing that FLW's Tractor Boys fan pundit would love his club to make

Ipswich Town have been told to sign Coventry City captain Ben Sheaf this summer as Kieran McKenna looks to build a squad worthy of challenging for automatic promotion from the Championship following their relegation from the Premier League.

The Tractor Boys' efforts to survive in their first top-flight campaign in 22 years have ultimately been in vain, after their drop back to the second-tier was confirmed with a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Newcastle United last month, with four games still to play.

Planning will no doubt have already begun for life back in the Championship under Kieran McKenna, as he looks to achieve a repeat of their outstanding 2023/24 promotion-winning campaign, and the club have been urged to look to bolster their midfield for next season with the capture of Coventry man Sheaf.

Ipswich fan pundit makes Ben Sheaf summer transfer demand to 'spearhead' midfield rebuild

Holding midfielder Sheaf joined Coventry on loan from Arsenal in 2020, and made that move a permanent one in the summer of 2021 after spending seven years in the Gunners' youth sides.

He has featured over 170 times in the middle of the park for the Sky Blues since his initial arrival, and has earned plaudits throughout the EFL for his strong performances that have helped the club compete near the top of the second-tier for each of the last few seasons.

Coventry experienced play-off heartbreak last week as Dan Ballard's late extra-time header saw Sunderland seal a place in the play-off final against Sheffield United to leave Frank Lampard's side facing yet another term in the second-tier.

Their failure to be promoted may see Lampard look to shake up his squad in his first summer window in charge at the CBS Arena, and at 27-years-old, with five stellar years at the club under his belt, club-captain Sheaf could be one of those who are allowed to move on.

Regardless of whether Coventry wish to let him leave soon, a decent offer could tempt them into a sale this summer. FLW's Ipswich fan pundit, Adam Wilkin, has named Sheaf as a realistic signing he'd love his club to make, as he is a big fan of the ex-Arsenal man's abilities and believes that he is the perfect addition to bolster their lacking midfield ranks for next season.

"There is one area of the squad that needs a complete overhaul for next season, and that is the central midfield," Adam told FLW.

"Sam Morsy is now 33, so is getting on a bit, and Kalvin Phillips and Jens Cajuste are both loans, so they are likely to go. Jack Taylor has only been a bit-part player since signing, and Massimo Luongo had an excellent season in the Championship last year, but has really struggled for minutes this year.

"He is also another one who is getting up there in terms of age. We’ve been caught out a lot in the Premier League with a lack of energy and the physical player that you need in the middle.

"Someone I’ve liked for a really long time to, kind of, spearhead that central midfield rebuild is Ben Sheaf.

"He’s just got all of the attributes that you want from an all-round midfielder. He’s good on the ball, excellent with tackles and aerial duels, progressing the ball.

"He is a player that doesn’t miss many games through injury, I think he has played at least 30 games in all of the last three seasons, so he is consistent. Having been with Coventry for five seasons now, maybe it would be a good time for change for him.

"He’s a good age at 27, we have got quite a young squad with a few older players, so lots of Championship experience and a wise head in there would mean he would be a great pick-up, if we could get hold of him."

Sheaf would be a solid signing for Ipswich - Coventry could be open to a sale this summer after previous interest

Sheaf's talents were highlighted throughout his impressive 2023/24 campaign under Mark Robins, as his standout showings saw him linked with a move to Luton Town in the January transfer window, and a strong end to the season put him even further in the frame for a move to the Premier League.

He produced a masterful display in the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United in May last year, and, despite missing a vital penalty in the shootout to allow the Red Devils to progress to the final, he was soon believed to be on their radar in the summer window after new owners INEOS profiled him as a potential low-risk capture.

His last campaign was more of a stop-start one, as he was plagued by respective ankle and calf injuries, but he still more than played his part in their play-off push and Lampard's starting eleven was no doubt made better with him in it.

Leeds United were claimed to be ready to bid for Sheaf's services in January, but a move never materialised, with Coventry thought to be ready to listen to offers in excess of £8 million to prise him from their grasp.

With the season now finished and a busy summer ahead, the Sky Blues may well be even more inclined to encourage bids for the 27-year-old, with just one year left on his existing contract, meaning they only have a few months to fetch a significant fee for his signature.

As aforementioned, Ipswich are set to be in real need of new midfield additions ahead of next season, and signing a proven, top-quality Championship operator like Sheaf would be a great way to kick off their business. It certainly feels like a move that could happen if all parties are open to the idea.