Coventry City are on the verge of a club-record deal worth an initial £22.5m for Brighton and Hove Albion goalkeeper Carl Rushworth .
Frank Lampard , the Coventry manager, is close to signing a priority target following promotion to the Premier League , with Rushworth expected to complete his return to the club later this week.
Rushworth emerged as one of Coventry's most important players last season after signing on an initial loan, keeping 17 clean sheets in 46 matches.
It is understood Coventry will pay £22.5m, with extra contingencies and instalments taking the deal towards £30m.
Brighton have inserted a chunky sell-on clause and have also included a buy-back option for the 25-year-old who is scheduled to have a medical in the next 48 hours.
Brighton have a buy-back option on Rushworth - Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
His move will eclipse the previous transfer record of £17m for Switzerland international centre-back Aurèle Amenda , who joined the Championship winners from Eintracht Frankfurt last week.
Rushworth will be Coventry's fourth signing of the summer following the arrivals of Amenda, winger Loum Tchaouna from Burnley and midfielder Frank Onyeka , who made his move from Brentford permanent.
Coventry secured their return to the Premier League, for the first time since 2001, after winning the Championship title with 95 points.
Lampard was appointed in November 2024 and has revitalised the Midlands club, signing a new contract earlier this month .
Doug King, the club's owner, has said he will back his manager who is targeting a number of other new additions.
Coventry begin their season back in the top division with a daunting trip to champions Arsenal on August 21 before hosting fellow promoted side Hull City the following weekend.
