Coventry City and Ipswich Town have both turned their attention to Swansea City striker Zan Vipotnik as they prepare for a potential return to the Premier League, setting up a transfer battle that could also involve several top-flight clubs.
With just a handful of games remaining in the Championship season, both Coventry and Ipswich are firmly in the race for automatic promotion. Coventry, led by Frank Lampard, are on the brink of ending a 25-year absence from the top flight, while Ipswich remain in a strong position, level on points in second place but with games in hand.
As anticipation builds around their possible promotion, both clubs have already begun planning for life in the Premier League—and strengthening their attacking options appears to be a top priority.
Vipotnik has emerged as one of the most sought-after forwards in the Championship following a remarkable campaign. After a modest debut season at Swansea, where he scored seven league goals, the Slovenian striker has exploded this term, netting 20 goals in 39 appearances and leading the division’s scoring charts.
His clinical form has not gone unnoticed. A host of Premier League clubs—including Aston Villa, Brentford, Brighton, Everton, Newcastle United, and West Ham United—are reportedly tracking the 24-year-old, setting the stage for intense competition in the summer transfer window.
Despite the growing interest, Swansea remain in a strong negotiating position. Vipotnik recently signed a new four-year contract extension in March, keeping him at the club until 2030. While details of any release clause remain unclear, the new deal gives Swansea significant leverage in any potential negotiations.
For Coventry, the interest in Vipotnik reflects uncertainty surrounding their current attacking options. Although Haji Wright has enjoyed a productive season, he has been consistently linked with a move away, and questions remain about whether he can make the step up to the Premier League. Ellis Simms and Brandon Thomas-Asante provide depth, but the club appear keen to bring in a proven goalscorer to lead the line at a higher level.
Ipswich face a similar situation. None of their current strikers—George Hirst, Ivan Azon, or Chuba Akpom—have fully convinced as a long-term solution. With Azon likely to return to his parent club and doubts over the others, manager Kieran McKenna is expected to prioritize signing a new centre-forward, with Vipotnik high on the shortlist.
However, both Coventry and Ipswich may need to secure promotion to have any realistic chance of landing the Swansea star. Competing financially with established Premier League clubs will be a significant challenge, especially given Vipotnik’s rising value and long-term contract.
As the season enters its final stretch, the striker’s future remains one of the most intriguing storylines. Whether he stays at Swansea or makes a big move this summer, his performances have already ensured he will be one of the most talked-about names in the transfer market.
For Coventry and Ipswich, securing his signature could be a statement of intent—but they will first need to win promotion and then fend off heavyweight competition to make it happen.
