Coventry City were ahead of the game after completing a deal to sign Viktor Gyokeres’ replacement.
The Swedish striker is on the cusp of completing a move to Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon in a deal that is reportedly worth £20.5million.
It comes after the lethal attacker scored 22 goals and bagged 10 assists for the Sky Blues last term, helping them to the Championship play-off final where they missed out on a spot in the Premier League by losing to Luton on penalties.
With just a year left on his contract, Coventry had little choice but to cash in on their talisman, however they have managed to sign his replacement with money to spare after signing Ellis Simms.
The Everton striker has moved to the Sky Blues in a deal worth £8million.
After scoring seven goals in 17 appearances during a loan spell with Sunderland last term, Simms was recalled to Goodison Park in the January transfer window as cover for the injury-hit Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
During the rest of the season, the 22-year-old made 11 appearances, starting two times and scoring once in the Premier League.
Speaking of the signing, Coventry boss Mark Robins said: “We are delighted to welcome Ellis to Coventry City.
“He is a strong, powerful striker who also has pace and finishing ability, and he is a key signing for us.
“Ellis is a young player who is keen to continue his development and to impress at Coventry City, and we look forward to working with him.”
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COVENTRY City have signed young striker Ellis Simms for an undisclosed fee from Premier League side Everton.
The Sky Blues are close to selling last season’s top scorer Viktor Gyokeres to Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon and have acted swiftly to sign a replacement.
Simms could become Coventry’s record signing, should he achieve performance related add ons and if City earn promotion to the Premier League.
That would take the deal to around £8m in total, eclipsing the £6.5m fee the club paid to sign Craig Bellamy from Norwich back in 2000.
Sky Blues boss Mark Robins said: “We are delighted to welcome Ellis to Coventry City.
“He is a strong, powerful striker who also has pace and finishing ability, and he is a key signing for us.
“Ellis is a young player who is keen to continue his development and to impress at Coventry City, and we look forward to working with him.”
Simms shone on loan at Sunderland in the first half of the 2022/23 campaign before returning to parent club Everton in January.
The 22-year-old scored one goal in 11 Premier League outings for Everton last season, netting a crucial 89th-minute equaliser against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
That came following a fruitful spell in the Championship on loan at Sunderland where he scored seven goals in 17 appearances.
He has also previously spent time on loan at Blackpool and Heart of Midlothian.
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