“£12–15 million, that’s ludicrous”: Coventry City fan pundit makes Luis Binks transfer claim

Luis Binks would be a good permanent signing for Coventry City this summer, but only on a cheap deal as a third-choice centre-back

The signing of Luis Binks from Bologna in the summer has not gone as expected, despite the defender showing his talents at times at Coventry City this season.

While the English defender came through the academy at Tottenham Hotspur, he moved abroad to Bologna in the summer of 2020, although he struggled for game time at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara.

Because of this, he has spent time out on loan, including a move in the summer to Championship side Coventry, who are currently chasing a top-six finish following their play-off final loss to Luton Town last season.

However, he has struggled for game time at the Coventry Building Society Stadium, which has cast doubt over whether the club should sign him on a permanent deal when his loan deal ends.

Binks would be a good signing but not at the price reported

FLW’s Coventry City fan pundit Neil Littlewood thinks that on-loan defender Binks would be a good signing as third-choice defender at the club, but not for the price his parent club is reportedly asking for.

He said, “Binks is a bit of a strange one because you can see he’s got all the talent to be a competent Championship defender, if not lower Premier League.

“He’s very steady on the ball, very tidy. He doesn’t shy away from getting the ball, and he’s not scared about getting stuck in. He’ll throw himself about a little bit. He hasn’t gotten the game time I would have expected, but Bobby Thomas and Liam Kitching have been phenomenal, so that’s why that hasn’t happened.

“With Binks, I’d take him as a third-choice centre-half, because losing Kyle McFadzean means we need another centre-half. At the moment, we have Latibeaudiere, who can play there, but it’s not his strongest position. We have others who can do that job, but I think you need that sort of cover, and Binks could be that man.

“One, if he is happy to do it. You know, he’s only 22, so he might want to be playing first-team football to build that experience, but as a squad option, he’s a very good option.

“The only issue is that there were lots of rumours that the fee Bologna wanted for him in the summer was £12–15 million; that’s ludicrous. Take the one off the front, and maybe!

“I can’t see any club at our level playing that sort of money, and I don’t know enough about Italian football to know if he gets into their side next year.

“Don’t get me wrong, I think he’s brilliant, and he’s done a job for us. He’s the sort of ball-playing centre-back that Robins likes and that suits our system, but it’s not a sound investment at the money Bologna is quoting. I’d spend £2 million to £3 million, a possible £4 million at a push if we’re getting him on a long-term deal.”

“That’s a lot of money on a third-choice centre-half, so the deal has to be right.”