Yahoo News Coventry City sent £15m message as Premier League clubs eye Ben Sheaf
Carlton Palmer believes his former club Coventry City will be able to fetch a fee in the region of £10-15m from a Premier League club for Ben Sheaf.
As City's place in the Championship was confirmed for next season having finished ninth - nine points shy of the total needed to reach the play-offs - rumours have already started to circulate of potential exits of players that almost overcame last year's final, or took Manchester United all the way in an FA Cup semi-final last month.
Sheaf currently leads these exit claims, as Fulham, Luton Town and newly-promoted Ipswich Town will reportedly tussle for the midfielder's signature come the opening of the summer transfer window.
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A product of Arsenal's academy, the 26-year-old has made 143 appearances in the middle of the park for Mark Robins' side since his arrival in 2021. His performances over that period have earned him a £10m price tag, according to the latest rumours, however Palmer is certain City should hold out against top-flight suitors for even higher payday.
"The midfield player has been outstanding for Coventry over the last two seasons. He has recently been handed the captain’s armband by the manager," the ex-England international told Football League World. "This season has just finished, and Mark Robins has come out and said that it is going to take record bids for any of his players to leave the football club now.
“Coventry have got new owners in the football club and, year-on-year, Mark Robins has had to rebuild. So, now he is hoping that he is going to have some continuity, and he can keep the players.
“Obviously, when Premier League clubs come knocking it is very, very difficult with Coventry missing out this season. But I have no doubt that Coventry will be there or there about next season, and they are in a strong position with Ben Sheaf. He is under contract until the summer of 2026, and I’m sure conversations will be taking place to extend that contract.
“But failing that," he added, "they are in control of the situation. Other than that, it is going to take an offer, I would assume, of around the £10-£15 million mark. It’s going to take a record fee, as Mark Robins said, £10-15 million, for them to even think about it."
Should Palmer's vision become a reality and the club hold out for the upper end of that range, it would make Sheaf the third-most expensive departure from the Coventry Building Society Arena in the club's history, behind Victor Gyokeres (£18m, 2023) and Robbie Keane (£16.7m, 2000).
It would mean he would become the midfielder to command the highest fee from a City exit, however, as £15m marginally trumps the £14.8m paid by Sheffield United for Gustavo Hamer almost 12 months ago.
