Coventry City transfer news from CoventryLive as the the Sky Blues are linked with interest in Premier League striker Ellis Simms who enjoyed a prolific loan spell at Sunderland during the first half of last season

Coventry City have been linked with interest in Everton striker Ellis Simms in a move that could “open the doors” for a possible cash plus player deal with Viktor Gyokeres.

The Toffees are one of several Premier League clubs who have been cited as having scouted the Sky Blues star striker who is valued at £20million plus by the Midlands club.

And, with the very real prospect of the 25-year-old leaving the CBS Arena this summer, manager Mark Robins and his recruitment team have identified a number of possible replacements.

Blackpool’s Jerry Yates is understood to be high on the club’s wanted list, while the Daily Mail reports that City are a one of a number of Championship clubs, including Swansea and newly-promoted Ipswich Town, who have made inquiries for Simms at Goodison Park.

The 22-year-old was recalled from a loan at Sunderland last season to add his considerable presence to Everton’s relegation fight. He scored a crucial equaliser away at Chelsea in March but, like all Everton’s forwards, struggled to make much impact after that.

Everton, Mail Sport claims, “have an interest in Gyokeres, which may open doors to a possible exchange plus cash,” albeit acknowledging that the Sweden international has strong interest from Sporting Lisbon and the likes of Brentford, Wolves and West Ham. Sporting have led the chase for his signature with firm bids but have so far fallen short of Coventry’s valuation.

Our sister title the Liverpool Echo says Simms also has interest from Blackburn Rovers and Sunderland.

The Black Cats, it says, have held talks over re-signing Simms after he impressed on loan at the club during the first half of the campaign last season. However, the ECHO understands that senior figures at the Stadium of Light have concerns that their club could end up being priced out of a move for the player.

Simms scored seven times in 14 starts for Tony Mowbray’s side before being recalled to Everton as the Goodison Park club battled to avoid relegation to the Sky Bet Championship. The forward, who is about to enter the final year of his Everton contract, made 11 senior appearances for the Blues last term, scoring his only goal in March’s 2-2 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.