Frank Lampard 'targeting' Champions League winner for first Coventry signing in Premier League

Frank Lampard is planning to bring a former Premier League star back to England as his first major signing since Coventry's promotion.

For the first time since dropping out of the top flight in 2001, Coventry City will return to the Premier League for the 2026/27 season.

Under the leadership of Lampard, who was appointed manager back in November 2024, The Sky Blues won the Championship this season, booking their promotion with three games to spare.

However, as recent history has proved, getting promotion to the Premier League and surviving are two very different tasks, with many promoted sides suffering relegation the following season.

But it appears that Lampard isn't willing to go down without a fight as he's looking to bring in a veteran Champions League winner to help bolster his squad ahead of his first Premier League campaign as Coventry boss.

According to Football Insider, Lampard is considering a surprise move for ex-Liverpool and Newcastle United star Georginio Wijnaldum during the summer transfer window.

The 35-year-old midfielder currently plays for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq but will be a free agent when his contract with the club expires in the summer.

Once he is available to make a move, the report claims that it would be Wijnaldum's preference to return to the Premier League, with a move to Coventry seeming like the perfect fit.

Coventry reportedly view the 2019 Champions League winner as a fantastic option to help bring experience to their midfield and a voice motivate the team to help keep them in the Premier League.

And, despite his age, Wijnaldum proved this season that he can still put in some strong performances, scoring 17 goals and securing six assists for Al-Ettifaq in all competitions this season.

Frank Lampard tipped to target 'Premier League experience' in summer transfer window

But Wijnaldum isn't the only Premier League veteran that Coventry are believed to be considering a move for in the summer, as former Sky Blues striker Clinton Morrison claimed the club should be looking at the likes of Aston Villa’s Ross Barkley when the window opens.

“I saw them linked to Ross Barkley, so you never know someone like that,” he told GOAL

“He's got Premier League experience as well and he's been around.

“I think there'll be a lot of players that they'll be shopping for with the Premier League experience. I think you need that.

“When you go from the Championship up to the Premier League, you need at least five or six players that have known the Premier League and got the experience.

“Coventry have got a good team with some good, exciting players in there, but they will need Premier League experience."

Morrison claimed that the pull of a Premier League legend like Lampard will help Coventry attract some big names to the club over the summer and that this will be key to their survival.

“I've said it loads of times, I think Coventry, out of all the teams that will get promoted, are the best fit," he added.

“If a team is going to survive, it could be them, because of Frank, the people he knows and the players that he can attract to that football club.”