A SECOND offer from Brentford for young Coventry City midfielder Ben Stevenson is around £750,000 and nowhere near the £1.5million upfront that media reports have falsely suggested, the Coventry Observer understands.
Our sources say the guaranteed money to the club is only £250,000 above Championship Brentford’s rejected initial offer of £500,000.
We understand last Friday’s second offer from Brentford – which has not been improved upon – would only rise to £1.5million in the event of Stevenson’s future huge success at Premier League and international level.
Coventry City would only ever receive £1.5million if the 19-year-old goes on to play in the Premier League, plays 50 per cent of games, and makes England appearances, we understand.
Media reports have also speculated Coventry value Stevenson at £2million, and would consider a minimum £1million upfront with players loaned from Brentford as part of a package for the prodigious Sky Blues academy graduate.
We understand the offer on the table does not include loan players to the Sky Blues.
Meanwhile, doubts have been cast over previous media reports that Coventry were set to sign 19-year-old Marcus Browne on loan from West Ham for the rest of the season. A number of clubs are said to be interested alongside the Sky Blues after an impressive performance for the Hammers’ under-23s last night.
Another young Coventry player who has attracted transfer speculation is Cian Harries, after his trial with Liverpool and playing for their under 23s last week.
He is expected to play for Coventry City tonight in the Checkatrade Trophy clash with Brighton under-23s at the Ricoh Arena.
