The January transfer window is firmly upon us, and clubs across the UK will be preparing for both incomings and departures, in order to free up funds and reinvest money in improving their respected squads. This window has been both hit and miss for the Skyblues in recent years, with some highs but the majority are major lows. For example, we've seen the likes of Matty James and Viktor Gyokeres arrive at the club, keeping the club in the Championship. However, we have also seen lows such as James Maddison's final minute departure to Norwich or allowing Jonson Clarke-Harris to depart on a free transfer to Bristol Rovers...
In this article, we will take a look at five players who could make permanent departures in the upcoming window.
Todd Kane
Full-back Todd Kane is almost certainly going to be leaving the club in January, however whether that is a loan or permanent deal remains to be seen. The 29-year-old has fallen out of favour at the CBS Arena this season, being limited to just five Championship appearances this season. He was due to depart on loan on deadline day in August, however the potential move fell through at the final hurdle, with Kane not fit enough to complete the medical. This was due to undergoing surgery a few days before the window closed.
With youngsters Josh Eccles and Jack Burroughs now ahead of Todd Kane in the pecking order, and with Fankaty Dabo being first choice, his career is almost certainly over at the club. His set pieces and eye to put crosses in, will apply to many League One sides, including any side that play with target-men. Kane has scored once in 36 total appearances for the club, but it's very likely that his days at the club are numbered.
Josh Reid
Fellow full-back Josh Reid is also very likely to make a loan exit from the football club in January. The 20-year-old turned down three loan deals on deadline day in August, in order to remain at the football club and battle his way into Mark Robins' mind. The clubs involved were Motherwell, ST. Mirren and Dundee United. However, that hasn't been the case and in-truth, despite the departure of Tayo Adaramola, Jake Bidwell hasn't faced any competition for his place until Jack Burroughs starred during a victory over Watford.
Reid has made eight appearances for the clubs U21s so far this season, and interestingly hasn't followed the likes of Jay McGrath, George Burroughs and Abel Alabi in moving on loan, whilst their season is on their winter break. With his contract set to expire in the summer, could Reid make a permanent departure instead or will he opt for a loan move and hope his performances can encourage the football club to offer him a contract extension.
Marcel Hilssner
You would be forgiven for forgetting that German winger Marcel Hilssner was still on the Skyblues wage-bill, however he is very much still at the club, despite moving out of his Warwickshire home and returning to his native Germany. The 27-year-old still has never made a senior appearance for the club, despite joining from German side SC Paderborn for an undisclosed fee back in July 2020. He had a promising pre-season, impressing during a friendly against Swindon Town, but never played again and disappeared completely due to a reported issue with his lungs and an undiagnosed breathing condition.
Hilssner had a brief loan stint with Oldham Athletic, before joining German third tier side FSV Zwickau on a season-long-loan. He made 10 appearances, scoring once before suffering a devastating ACL injury. He hasn't played since the injury, and appeared on an instagram video by former Skyblues defender Josh Pask's removal company, where it was revealed that he was permanently relocating back to Germany. Sometimes European players work, sometimes they don't, however now he has recovered from injury, it could be the perfect time to cancel the remaining six months on his deal, and use the wages better elsewhere whilst allowing him to find a new home somewhere else.
Tyler Walker
When Tyler Walker first arrived at the club, expectations were running high and rightly so, with him having the reputation of someone who loves to score goals wherever he goes. In his debut season, he finished as the clubs top-scorer with eight, keeping the club in the Championship. However, last season he struggled to kick on, scoring just four goals before being loaned out to League One side Portsmouth, where he managed just one goal in 15 appearances for Danny Cowley's side.
He is yet to score this season, and looks like a striker who's confidence has completely shattered. Therefore, a permanent move would be better for the 26-year-old, to allow him to start the new year with a fresh start. However, the stumbling block with that is that Walker is reportedly on £8,000 per week wages, something that not many sides would be able to afford. There was minor interest from Bristol Rovers and Aberdeen in the summer, but a move failed to materialise and with six months left on his contract, it's looking increasingly likely that he may opt for an exit in January.
Fabio Tavares
The final Coventry City player that could make a departure from the club in January is striker Fabio Tavares. However, it is important to note that this would only be the case if we signed another striker, kept hold of Viktor Gyokeres and saw both Matt Godden and Martyn Waghorn return plus Tavares would only be a loan departure. The 21-year-old has made six Championship appearances so far this season, but has struggled to score. In fact, his only goals this season, came in a 4-3 Birmingham Senior Cup victory against Tamworth, where he scored twice.
The Portuguese striker needs to play games and find a way to add goals to his game at a higher level. The last striker to excel at U23s level was Jordan Ponticelli and he failed to make a lasting impression on the main stage, even despite scoring a handful of goals in his first real break in the side. In order to avoid that mistake, he has to play and the only way he'd consistently be able to do so is by departing on loan to a League One, maybe even top-end League Two side. However, don't be surprised if he is used as a squad player for the remainder of the season if he stayed at the club.
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