Number of clubs looking to sign unsettled defender Dacosta

COVENTRY City have received a number of inquiries for Julien Dacosta who looks destined to leave the club this summer.

The 25-year-old wing-back signed for the Sky Blues in the summer of 2020, joining on a free transfer from French Ligue 2 side, FC Chamois Niort, and signing a three year deal. But it’s not worked out for the Frenchman who has played just 24 games for Mark Robins, including only five during the early stages of last season.

Slipping down the pecking order when Todd Kane was signed from QPR on transfer deadline day at the start of last term, the defender spent the second half of last season on loan at Portuguese top flight side Portimonense, for whom he made 11 appearances.

Dacosta clearly doesn’t figure in Robins’ plans and the club are actively encouraging the player to find himself another club this summer. And it is understood that a number of League One and League Two clubs in the UK are interested in his services, although there is nothing concrete as yet.

With a year left on his contract, City are keen to get the player off the wage bill and are open to inquiries for his services.

Dacosta looked to be on the verge of signing on loan for League One Shrewsbury Town in January but instead elected for a temporary switch across Europe to play in the Primeira Liga in Portugal.

Shrews’ boss Steve Cotterill expressed his frustration at the time, saying: “In the last 48 hours of the window we lost two players. One was a purchase and the other was a loan, they were absolutely nailed on and yet we lose them.”