Coventry City manager Frank Lampard wants to sign Crystal Palace’s Romain Esse, as negotiations between the two clubs continue ahead of a possible loan move.

Coventry have been the Championship’s best team this season, despite losing in the play-off semi-finals to eventual promotion winners Sunderland at the end of the previous season.

Lampard’s team has led the way since the first week of the season and is top of the second tier with 52 points from 25 games.

They have only won two of their past seven league games, including a 1-1 draw with struggling Charlton Athletic last time out, and are plainly in need of some January signings to secure their long-awaited promotion to the top flight.

Esse, a Palace winger who joined from Millwall last January, has struggled to feature frequently under Oliver Glasner, but he could be heading to the CBS Arena shortly to enhance Lampard’s attacking options.

Coventry hopes to sign Esse on loan from Palace ahead of Championship competition.

Lampard is believed to want additional attacking signings to add depth and quality to his squad, with Ephron Mason-Clark and Tatsuhiro Sakamoto serving as his only true wing options at the moment.

According to The Telegraph’s John Percy, Coventry have held negotiations about loaning Eagles winger Esse, with Lampard hoping to reach an agreement quickly despite interest from other second-tier clubs.

According to reports from October, Palace had no plans to let Esse go in January, but their stance appears to have changed due to a lack of game time and the expected arrival of Tottenham striker Brennan Johnson.

The 20-year-old has made only seven first-team appearances this season, three of which have been in the Premier League, and has been forced to play for their Under-21 side to gain additional minutes.

He scored seven goals in 66 games for his childhood side Millwall and was a star in the Championship, earning a move to Selhurst Park this time last year.

Which players might depart Coventry this month?

Lampard’s primary focus will be on adding new players, but a handful of Sky Blues players will undoubtedly receive attention in January given how strong they have been this season.

According to sources, Turkish giants Besiktas are in talks to sign Haji Wright, who has 40 goals in 104 appearances for the club, including eight in 21 second-tier games this season.

According to Football Insider, Leeds are planning a bid for Wright in January to improve Daniel Farke’s offensive options, but the Sky Blues have been hesitant to sell him given their present place in the table.

Milan van Ewijk has also been linked with a transfer away from Coventry in recent months, and a Premier League offer may be appealing to one of the Championship’s greatest full-backs.

Jack Rudoni was also linked with a move to Southampton in the summer, and he is sure to receive additional interest after continuing to be a crucial player for the Sky Blues this season, but Wright appears to be the most likely departure.