Coventry City have entered advanced talks to sign Ellis Simms.
The Midlands club is one of several chasing the striker, who has also been courted by clubs including Ipswich Town and Swansea City. Sunderland, where Simms scored seven times during his loan spell during the first half of last season, were also keen on securing his return.
However Coventry, defeated finalists in the Championship play-offs last season, are understood to be closing in on a permanent deal for the 22-year-old. Everton are understood to value the striker between £6m to £8m with the battle for his signature driving up what the club believed to be an achievable price.
Simms has scored goals across a series of loan spells, most recently with Sunderland. A popular figure in the North East, his recall from that spell in January was met with disappointment after a positive start to the campaign with the Black Cats.
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His recall was triggered as then manager Frank Lampard sought to deal with a forward crisis over new year. Upon his return, Simms made 11 Premier League appearances for Everton, earning starts under Sean Dyche at Old Trafford and Anfield. His star moment came at Stamford Bridge, where he scored his first senior goal for the Blues to help earn a crucial draw at Chelsea.
Despite this, and the injury struggles of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, he was unable to cement a place in Dyche’s first team and with Everton seeking funds to help a wider rebuild it became increasingly likely the club would cash in on interest in the forward this summer. Following weeks of discussions Coventry have emerged as frontrunners and are in advanced talks with Everton in hope of completing a deal over the coming days.
