£1m for Clingan or staying in the Championship?

Although Leeds United's reported interest in Coventry City captain Sammy Clingan hasn't yet gone beyond the rumour stage there is enough in the stories to make Sky Blues' supporters worried about the prospect of losing yet another top player this summer.

The departures of Kieren Westwood and Marlon King were unfortunate but unavoidable. Westwood was never going to sign a new contract given the interest that has built up in him over the past couple of season while King was made a good offer and chose to go for short-term gain over the longer-term care that had been shown in him by CCFC.

Both players were free agents and exercising their rights to walk away. Nobody (including Gary Hoffman) could have guaranteed keeping them at the Ricoh Arena beyond this summer and their departures have been factored into the pre-season thoughts of manager Andy Thorn.

Clingan is hugely different however. Thorn has made him the key man in his diamond system, handed him the captaincy and signalled his importance to everything City will try and do this season.

£1m from Leeds must be balanced with the Sky Blues staying in the Championship at a time when the bookies are making them joint-favourites for a relegation that could spell financial disaster for the club.

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