Coventry Aim to Prize Luke Woolfenden Away From Ipswich

Coventry Aim to Prize Luke Woolfenden Away From Ipswich

Coventry City are preparing to table another bid to fellow Championship side Ipswich Town in an attempt to sign Luke Woolfenden.

The Tractor Boys initially turned down the Sky Blues' initial offer, as they are reluctant to sell their academy product.

The 26-year-old is yet to play in the three matches this season, yet Ipswich are keen to hold onto him.

Why do Coventry Want Woolfenden?

It has certainly been a positive start for the season for Frank Lampard's men.

Currently sat in fifth, an opening day goalless draw at home to Hull City was then met with a 5-3 thriller away at Derby, with a 1-0 victory over Luton in the EFL Cup sandwiched in between.

However, cracks have appeared, particularly at the back where three goals were conceded in the space of 38 minutes, before a dramatic comeback in seven minutes from the attackers bailed them out.

Only three first-team centre-backs - Liam Kitching, Bobby Thomas and Joel Latibeaudiere - are at the club, all of which were there last season and the Sky Blues have identified this area as a place to strengthen in their hopes of going one step further than last season's play-off semi-final heartbreak at Sunderland.

Coventry have seen a bid for Ipswich defender Luke Woolfenden rejected, with the Tractor Boys keen to keep the 26-year-old at Portman Road.

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— BBC Sport Coventry & Warwickshire (@BBCCWRSport) August 21, 2025

Standing at 6ft 4in tall, Woolfenden is significantly taller than the alternative options (Kicthing and Thomas are 6ft 1in whilst Latibeaudiere is 5ft 10in) and will be a great asset to have to deal with aerial duels, which are particularly important in the Championship.

All three of Derby's goals against Coventry came from Lampard's side being unable to deal with balls into the box, hence why the Sky Blues have now turned to Ipswich's man to plug this hole.

Why Are Ipswich Reluctant to Sell?

Mainly for the same reasons that Coventry want to buy, Ipswich are holding out on a deal as they don't want to be reduced to four centre-backs to pick from, especially as Elkan Baggott is still only 22-years-old and has just arrived from lower-league Blackpool.

Despite Woolfenden having not played this season as of now, he did make 15 appearances in last campaign's Premier League adventure, and in total has 271 professional games under his belt, bringing bags of experience to the team.

Also, if Ipswich are to go back up despite their relatively shaky start, the 26-year-old will be pivotal in bringing that Premier League knowhow to the table - something the Tractor Boys missed during last season where almost all of their players were new to the league.