Former Lincoln City goalkeeper Carl Rushworth has seen a potential £20m permanent move to Coventry City hit a stumbling block, with Brighton and Hove Albion reportedly knocking back the Sky Blues’ opening offer.
Rushworth, who spent the 2022/23 season on loan with the Imps, has become one of the most talked-about goalkeepers in the domestic market after an outstanding campaign at Coventry. The 24-year-old helped Frank Lampard’s side win the Championship title and secure promotion to the Premier League, but his future now rests on whether Coventry can meet Brighton’s valuation.
According to Football Insider, Coventry have already made a bid worth £20m, including add-ons, but Brighton are understood to want more before sanctioning a permanent exit. That does not appear to have ended the matter, with the same report suggesting Coventry are expected to return with an improved proposal.
Rushworth joined the Imps on loan from Brighton in 2022 and made 42 league appearances during a season in which he quickly became a reliable presence behind Mark Kennedy’s side.
His time at Sincil Bank came after earlier loan spells with Worthing and Walsall, and it was with the Imps that he first showed he could handle regular football at League One level. Since then, he has taken further steps with Swansea City, Hull City and Coventry, building a CV that now has him valued in the sort of bracket usually reserved for established Premier League players.
Mick Brown comments
Football Insider’s report carries comments from former Coventry assistant manager Mick Brown, who believes Rushworth’s performances mean Coventry will have to go higher than their first bid.
“Carl Rushworth is a top-class goalkeeper and he’s showed that at Coventry,” Brown told Football Insider.
“It didn’t come as a surprise to me when I saw he’d won the player of the season award, because whenever I’ve watched him I’ve thought he has the potential to be an outstanding player.”
Brown added that Coventry are likely to push again because Rushworth is seen as such an important part of their plans.
“From Coventry’s point of view, I would expect they will push to get this over the line, because he’s been such an important player for them.
“They now have to prepare to step up into the Premier League, but now they’re going to have to pay Premier League prices for Premier League players.”
There is also reported interest elsewhere, with Leeds United previously linked with the keeper. That could strengthen Brighton’s hand if Coventry cannot move quickly, although the Sky Blues clearly have the advantage of knowing exactly what he brought to their promotion-winning side.
Whatever happens next, Rushworth’s trajectory remains a strong advert for the Imps. Lincoln saw a talented young goalkeeper during his season at the Bank, and his experience here is one that has helped his progression, just as it has with Morgan Rogers, England’s future World Cup star.
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