Premier League Sides Join Race for Championship Star

Premier League Sides Join Race for Championship Star

Burnley and Brentford have now joined the party of clubs interested in the services of Coventry City defender Bobby Thomas, according to Pete O'Rourke.

Thomas, 24, came through the ranks at Turf Moor before joining The Sky Blues in 2023, before going on to make 95 appearances in all competitions for the club, drawing praise for his performances in the Coventry back line.

His form has seen him linked with a move away from the club at the back end of this summer's transfer window, with Premier League hopefuls Sheffield United looking to bring the defender to Bramall Lane. However, The Blades may soon have to contend with rivalling interest from Brentford and former side Burnley of the top flight.

Thomas Subject to Multi-Interest

Bobby Thomas was made to wait for his opportunity as a starting member of any first team, but he took the opportunity with both hands upon his permanent arrival at Coventry City back in 2023.

Everyone's on about new signings which I'm sure will come, but I'm just wondering when are we giving Bobby Thomas a new long-term deal. A new four-year deal pleaseeeee. *Actually make it a lifetime deal.* 😇 #PUSB pic.twitter.com/GobKnl0083

— Cameron Cairns (@CameronCairns87) July 21, 2025

Thomas, then aged 22, was an instant hit in the West Midlands, appearing in all but two of Coventry's Championship fixtures in his opening season with the club, making a further 40 appearances the season after as the club missed out on Premier League promotion with a dramatic Play-Off Semi-Final exit at the hands of Sunderland, who would eventually secure promotion against Sheffield United.

Beaten at Wembley, The Blades have made a number of new arrivals to contend with the departures of star players like Anel Ahmedhodzic and Vinicius Souza, amongst them the likes of Aston Villa prodigy Louie Barry and Nottingham Forest talent Tyler Bindon.

Ruben Selles was eyeing up a move for Thomas after two strong seasons in Sky Blue, as the club seek to make their way back to the Premier League after failing at an immediate return last season. However, the club may now be facing competition from two sides who already ply their trade in England's top flight.

#OTD in 2023, we signed Bobby Thomas. 💥 pic.twitter.com/Coh2mYQMNp

— Coventry City (@Coventry_City) July 21, 2025

Burnley, who secured their ticket back to the Premier League after a year away by winning automatic promotion last season behind champions Leeds United, made a tough start to life back in the top tier with a 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Thomas Frank's Tottenham Hotspur.

Also rivalling Sheffield United's interest is Frank's former club Brentford, who are seeking defensive reinforcement in their first season without Frank in charge since 2018, with former set-piece coach Keith Andrews seeing a similar tough start in the job after a 3-1 bruising away at Nottingham Forest on the Premier League's opening day.

Thomas would be deemed as a smart purchase for whomever may secure his signature, and as a player Coventry would be in no rush to commission a sale for, with the 24-year-old scoring in the club's impressive 5-3 win over Derby County last time out.

Thomas is approximately valued at just over £2.6m, according to SofaScore, but Coventry City have set an asking price of £8m for his services, which may divert Sheffield United's interest elsewhere.