Frank Lampard’s side are preparing for their opening Premier League fixture against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Friday evening. The Midlands club have invested more than £90m in new recruits during the current transfer window, with Aurele Amenda, Caleb Yirenkyi, Carl Rushworth and Loum Tchaouna among those to have arrived. Midfielder Frank Onyeka and defender Gustavo Harmer have rejoined the squad at the CBS Arena.
Lampard is continuing his recruitment drive and appears close to securing Fenerbahce winger Sidiki Cherif. The 19-year-old is expected to complete a medical examination on Wednesday before putting pen to paper on a five-year deal worth approximately €24.5m. The Istanbul club were required to trigger a mandatory purchase option after Cherif spent the latter portion of last season on loan there. The forward, capable of operating centrally or out wide, contributed three goals and one assist across 16 matches in all competitions for the Turkish Super Lig side during the 2024-25 campaign.
The manager is also pursuing Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi. Reports indicate the Nigerian international is already undergoing medical checks ahead of a potential switch worth around £17m. The forward spent four years at the City Ground, finding the net 21 times in the top flight, though Oliver Glasner is prepared to allow him to leave after the player dropped behind Chris Wood and Igor Jesus in the selection order. Awoniyi joined Forest from Union Berlin in 2022 for £17.2m, a record outlay for the club.
Meanwhile, Coventry remain interested in Chelsea academy player Josh Acheampong. The full-back, who can operate at right-back, centre-back or left-back, was previously considered indispensable by Stamford Bridge officials earlier this summer when multiple offers were turned down. However, with the club now apparently willing to sanction his departure, the 20-year-old could move to the CBS Arena on a temporary basis, partly due to Lampard’s established connections at Chelsea accumulated during his playing and coaching career. Acheampong made his professional debut in 2024 and has accumulated 44 senior appearances for the Blues, including 30 last season in which he netted twice.