Coventry City have joined Sheffield United in the race to sign Nottingham Forest defender Joe Worrall, as reported by Alan Nixon via Patreon.
The Sky Blues will be looking to have a strong summer of activity as they try to bridge that gap to the play-offs and, therefore, secure a place in the Premier League.
There are likely to be several comings and goings at the CBS Arena this summer, and it appears Nottingham Forest’s Joe Worrall has now emerged on the club’s radar.
Sheffield United have been heavily linked with the defender for some time, with TEAMtalk reporting that the Blades had opened talks with Forest about a move for Worrall.
The report also mentioned that Worrall is keen on the move, but things could change now that Coventry City have joined the race.
According to Nixon, the Sky Blues are eager to sign the central defender on loan this summer, though that type of deal may not be likely at this stage.
Worrall is under contract at the City Ground until the summer of 2026, but having fallen out of favor at the club and spending the second half of the season on loan at Besiktas, a move seems possible this summer.
Joe Worrall signing would significantly improve Coventry’s defence
As this news breaks, we asked some writers at Football League World for their thoughts on Coventry joining the race for Joe Worrall and whether this would be a good move for both the player and the club.
Here’s what they said…
Brett Worthington
Joe Worrall looks very likely to leave Nottingham Forest in this transfer window, as he’s fallen out of favor at the club.
The defender spent the second half of last season on loan at Turkish side Besiktas, where he got playing time, though the loan may not have been ideal.
He now returns to the City Ground with his future uncertain, and it appears that Forest are looking to move him on in this transfer window.
Worrall has multiple options, with both Sheffield United and Coventry City interested in signing him, but finalizing the deals may not be straightforward.
Sheffield United’s takeover process is still pending, while Coventry City is aiming for a loan deal rather than a permanent transfer.
Coventry presents a promising opportunity for the player, but between the two clubs, it’s likely Worrall would prefer a move to Bramall Lane over the CBS Arena.
This is because joining Sheffield United would mean joining a team expected to compete for promotion at the top end of the Championship. Additionally, Coventry’s interest in a loan deal might not align with Worrall’s desire to secure his long-term future rather than moving on another temporary basis.
Nevertheless, securing Worrall would be a significant and impressive signing for the Sky Blues if they manage to finalize a deal.
Mark Robins made some crucial signings in the center of defense last summer, bringing in players like Liam Kitching, Joel Latibeaudiere, and Bobby Thomas.
These signings proved to be effective for the Sky Blues last season, and while they remain integral to Coventry’s plans, adding Worrall to their defensive options would represent a significant upgrade. However, it appears unlikely at this stage of the transfer window.
Alfie Burns
Signing Joe Worrall would be a significant statement of intent from Coventry City this summer, especially if they secure his signature ahead of recently-relegated sides like Sheffield United.
Worrall brings extensive Championship experience, as evidenced by his contribution to Nottingham Forest under Steve Cooper, culminating in their promotion from the EFL in 2022. While his Premier League stint may not have panned out as expected, stepping down a level could rejuvenate the center-back’s career.
The biggest challenge for Coventry would likely be convincing Worrall to buy into their project.
In terms of convincing Worrall to buy into their project, that’s likely the biggest hurdle to overcome for Coventry. I no
Worrall will understandably seek a side challenging for promotion to the top two in the Championship next season if he is to step back. Currently, Coventry might be seen as more of an outside contender than a favorite for that position.
However, with Mark Robins at the helm, Coventry boasts one of the most respected coaches in the EFL. Over the last two years, there have been glimpses of Coventry achieving something special in the Championship. It’s reasonable to expect that they can make a compelling case to Worrall.
If Worrall is convinced by Coventry’s project and a deal can be reached between Coventry and Forest, it could prove to be an inspired move as Coventry aim to strengthen their squad and become genuine contenders for promotion.
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