Coventry City transfer news from CoventryLive as Sky Blues keep working on deal for defensive summer target
Luke McNally, a center back for Burnley, is being actively pursued by Coventry City after an impressive half-season loan stint at the club last season.The Clarets are reluctant to part ways with the defender, preferring to loan him out instead, according to CoventryLive, who understands that the Sky Blues are eager to purchase the 23-year-old and make him a permanent signing.
City is attempting to convince the freshly promoted Premier League team to sell, but they could have to accept yet another short-term arrangement, although one that lasts for an entire season this time.
Kyle McFadzean is the sole senior center back now in the squad; Michael Rose left at the conclusion of his contract this summer, while McNally, along with fellow loan defenders Callum Doyle and Jonathan Panzo, returned to their parent clubs. Mark Robins is frantically trying to find new center backs.
From his debut against Huddersfield in late January until the play-off final at Wembley, McNally started every single minute of every game for City, where he appeared in 22 games overall.
McNally was reportedly paid £1.8 million by Burnley manager Vincent Kompany to acquire him from Oxford United last summer, although he only made two league substitute appearances before transferring from Turf Moor to Coventry in the January transfer window.
Rival Championship team Millwall is also interested in signing the defender on a loan, who is reportedly worth roughly £2 million at this point in his development.
The fact that Burnley was active in the transfer market and acquired many centre-backs makes it doubtful that McNally will see much action in the upcoming campaign. In May, the Clarets paid £12.8 million for Jordan Beyer from Borussia Monchengladbach, and last month, they paid £7 million for Dara O’Shea from West Brom. Their additions follow the signings of two center-halves in January, 24-year-old Swede Hjalmar Ekdal from Djurgardens IF for £2.5 million and Ameen Al-Dakhil from Sint-Truiden.
When asked by CoventryLive in March if he would be open to the possibility of returning to the CBS Arena on loan or otherwise, McNally responded, “Yes, but listen, I will have to chat with Burnley in the summer and that will get discussed. All I will say, though, is that I have so far thoroughly enjoyed every moment of playing in front of the crowd. I think people can tell I’ve truly liked playing here since the boss and the guys have both been outstanding. However, I must honor my contract and Burnley’s kind treatment of me, therefore I must pay attention to them.
In the meantime, Kyle McFadzean has contributed to City’s summer hiring drive by urging the player he believes best fits his own image to return and sign for the upcoming season. At the end of the season, Fadz responded when asked if he would like to see McNally return: “Yes, without a doubt, and I have asked him, ‘Are you going to come back next season and sign for us?'”
Although he’s still young and a little reserved right now, Luke would be a terrific addition to the team if he could join us in 2019. Burnley really is all that matters, isn’t it?
