Coventry Telegraph

ROBINS CLOSING ON NEW SIGNINGS

SKY BLUES LOOK LIKELY TO MISS OUT ON MAN CITY TEENAGER BUT BOSS EYES A VARIETY OF OPTIONS

- By ANDY TURNER Sky Blues Reporter

MARK Robins is closing in on new Coventry City signings amid interest in a highly-rated Manchester City teenager who played Champions League football last season.

The Sky Blues have drafted in one new face so far in Bristol City playmaker Kasey Palmer who joined the club for an undisclose­d fee this week, signing a three-year deal.

City had hoped to have secured the services of Jake Clarke-salter ahead of this week’s return for pre-season but the 24-year-old free agent from Chelsea opted to join Championsh­ip rivals Queens Park Rangers instead. And they appear to have missed out on bringing in highly-rated youngster CJ Egan-riley from Premier League champions Manchester City.

But Robins has quickly switched his attention elsewhere to alternativ­e targets, and the manager looks ready to further strengthen his squad. The Coventry Telegraph understand­s that City are looking for two new centrehalv­es, with a left-sided centre-back still a priority.

Asked about losing out on Clarkesalt­er and whether it was a combinatio­n of higher wages, location and QPR manager Michael Beale, who coached the centre-half at Chelsea’s academy, the 52-year-old told the Telegraph: “You’d have to ask Jake, but all he said to me was that location was a thing that he was concerned with. I also had a conversati­on with him to allay any of his concerns that he had with us, which was fine, but ultimately it was his decision to make.

“He was always Chelsea’s player and once he became a free agent there were other suitors and he didn’t choose us, he chose QPR, so you just wish them all the best.

 ?? ?? Mark Robins hopes to clinch two new recruits, despite missing out on signing Jake Clarke-salter, inset, permanentl­y
Mark Robins hopes to clinch two new recruits, despite missing out on signing Jake Clarke-salter, inset, permanentl­y

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