Coventry City Target Chelsea Starlet Josh Acheampong After Promotion

Josh Acheampong, one of Chelsea’s most promising young players, has emerged as a potential target for newly promoted Coventry City, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal. 

The Sky Blues began the process of identifying possible new signings this summer before sealing their long-awaited return to the Premier League after drawing with Blackburn Rovers on Friday night, with the operation to reinforce Frank Lampard’s squad set to begin in earnest early next week.

And Acheampong, who despite his talent has struggled to break into Liam Rosenior’s starting eleven since the former Hull City and Strasbourg chief’s appointment, is also understood to have been identified as the perfect addition by those tasked with drafting in reinforcements at the CBS Arena.

Although clubs with considerably greater financial muscle are already casting admiring glances in Acheampong’s direction, City believe they could persuade The Pensioners to do business if they piece together a lucrative package to acquire him on loan. 

Crystal Palace and Everton, who have all been monitoring the teenager’s situation in west London closely, are interested in permanent deals but neither are likely to want to pay the kind of fee Chelsea would demand given that, with their finances coming under serious pressure, any money received for Acheampong would count as ‘pure profit’ on their balance sheet due to his home-grown status.

Bayern Munich have also been mentioned as a possible destination for the 19-year-old, although sources in Bavaria last night insisted that a new defender is not among the German giant’s biggest priorities. 

That could leave Stamford Bridge’s hierarchy in a complex situation, which The Sky Blues believe they could be able to solve by paying either the overwhelming majority of his salary or the full amount whilst simultaneously boosting his value on the open market by providing him with regular first team football.

Rising Star On Radar

That is likely to be an attractive proposition for The Pensioners, allowing them to park the issue for 12 months before banking considerably more money than they might otherwise have expected given Acheampong’s relative lack of experience. 

If one of Europe’s biggest clubs does not table a bid, it is also one they are expected to give serious consideration to should City firm-up their offer.

Born in Waltham Forest, Acheampong has been with Chelsea since the age of eight and can operate all the way across a back four. 

That versatility would be invaluable to The Sky Blues as they attempt to traverse the vast gap in funding which exists between those established at PL level and clubs such as themselves, who last competed in the top flight 25 years ago.