£3k-a-week Coventry City star surely set for exit as Aston Villa deal is struck

Coventry City are making another move in the transfer market, with Kaine Kesler-Hayden set to join from Aston Villa.

After agreeing a deal for Miguel Angel Brau to sign on a free transfer, the Sky Blues are set to fork out over £3.5m for Kesler-Hayden, who starred on loan at Preston from Villa in the previous campaign.

In many ways, this should be a transfer that excites all connected to Coventry, as they have secured a talented, young player who has already proven himself in the Championship.

Plus, the fee is a relatively modest one when you consider Kesler-Hayden’s potential, so it could turn out to be a bargain.

Milan van Ewijk seems set for Coventry City exit after Kaine Kesler-Hayden’s arrival

Yet, the one tinge of disappointment for Sky Blues supporters is that it’s hard not to feel Kesler-Hayden’s arrival spells the end of Milan van Ewijk’s time at the club.

The Dutchman joined from Heerenveen in 2023, and he has established himself as a top Championship player over the past two years. As well as his sound defensive displays, van Ewijk was relentless in how he got up and down the right flank, and he offered real quality on the ball.

It has been claimed that Fulham are monitoring the 24-year-old, and a summer exit now seems inevitable.

Of course, some fans will say that the club could have two quality right-backs, whilst Kesler-Hayden has played at left-back at times in his career, as well as further forward on occasions.

But, realistically, Coventry aren’t in a position to be spending £3.5m on a player if he isn’t going to start in his best position, and Kesler-Hayden would’ve wanted assurances over game time before he joined.

Coventry City’s player trading model is crucial to progressing further

If van Ewijk, who is estimated by Capology to be on £3k a week, has already played his last game for the club, it will be a shame, but the reality is that all clubs in the country have to be open to selling their key men, especially given the importance of PSR.

With two years left on his contract at the CBS Arena, Coventry are in a position where they can get maximum value for van Ewijk, and it’s likely to represent a fair profit on the £3.4m they paid for him.

By bringing in his replacement before the ex-Netherlands U21 international leaves, Coventry have ensured they won’t get exploited by other clubs when it comes to negotiations, like they may have if selling clubs knew van Ewijk was off.

Player trading is also going to be key to how Coventry progresses and improves as a club in the years to come.

This is nothing new for the Sky Blues, with Gustavo Hamer and Viktor Gyokeres departing after the play-off final loss to Luton Town. Yet, the club still managed to refresh the squad and reach an FA Cup semi-final, and the play-offs once more in the two subsequent years.

Deal confirmed as Preston North End loan star snapped up by Championship rivals in reported £3.5m transfer

Coventry City have announced the permanent signing of Preston North End loan star Kaine Kesler-Hayden.

The defender won Player of the Year at Deepdale last season after making 51 appearances across all competitions – he scored two goals and assisted three in the process. Kesler-Hayden, 22, returned to boyhood club Villa this summer but has now joined the Sky Blues on a four-year deal.

Frank Lampard’s side have reportedly paid around £3.5million to secure the full-back’s signature, though there are suggestions that the whole package is worth £5m. Kesler-Hayden – who had five loan spells away from Villa – was also linked with Southampton and Middlesbrough this summer.

“The next step in my career.”

Reacting to the move, he said: “I’m absolutely buzzing to be here. It seems like the perfect move for me and the next step in my career. As I said, just buzzing to be here and I can’t wait to meet the lads and get going.

“There was a lot of things that went into it. I saw last season how good Coventry City are and how unlucky they were not to make it into the Premier League, so hopefully we can have another go at it this season.

“Also, it is very local to me, which is perfect, I don’t have to travel too far, so now I just can’t wait to get started. I’ve had a lot of loans throughout the last few seasons, so I feel like this was the right time to make the next step and make the move.”

Head coach Lampard added: “I’m delighted to welcome Kaine to the Football Club and I’m very excited to work with him. Having met Kaine I was really impressed with his ambition and desire to play for Coventry City.

“His qualities will fit in with the way we want to play. He is a young player and his defensive and attacking attributes will help to strengthen the squad.”