Coventry City eye shock £13m striker move ahead of summer window

Frank Lampard could be set for a transfer tug-of-war with Middlesbrough over FC Cincinnati’s red-hot striker Kevin Denkey, with Coventry City reportedly keen on the in-form forward.

The Sky Blues are being linked with a move for the 25-year-old Togo international, who joined Cincinnati from Cercle Brugge in November 2024 for a club-record $16.2 million (around £13m).

Denkey quickly justified that price tag, firing in 16 goals including several eye-catching strikes during the 2025 campaign as Cincinnati finished second in the Eastern Conference and powered into the MLS Cup play-off semi-finals.

He has carried that momentum into the new season, scoring twice in his opening two appearances, including a goal in the CONCACAF Champions League and another in a 2-0 MLS opening-night victory over Atlanta United.

According to The Sun’s Alan Nixon, Denkey would be open to a switch to England, and his age and attacking profile make him an appealing target for both Coventry and Middlesbrough should either side secure promotion to the Premier League.

Coventry strengthened their automatic promotion push with a 2-0 win at West Brom, staying top of the Championship with 13 games left to play and holding a nine-point cushion over third-placed Millwall. Middlesbrough remain second after a goalless draw with Oxford, three points adrift of the Sky Blues.

Denkey is contracted until 2028, with the option of a further year. He began his career with Nîmes in France before flourishing at Cercle Brugge, which earned him his high-profile move to Major League Soccer.

Often labelled a “street footballer” by MLS analysts for his expansive skillset, Denkey credits his early development in informal settings for shaping his style of play.

In a previous interview with MLS Soccer, he explained how street football sharpened his quick thinking, movement, and ability to combine with teammates in tight spaces qualities that now define his dynamic presence in attack.