Romain Esse, Crystal Palace’s attacker, has decided to join Frank Lampard’s Coventry City on loan until the summer.

According to journalist Pete O’Rourke, Coventry City plans to sign Romain Esse on loan from Crystal Palace.

Coventry City are ready to begin their January transfer window with the loan signing of former Millwall star Romain Esse, who signed for rival Crystal Palace for £12 million in January 2025.

However, things have not been easy for the attacker. He lost out with manager Oliver Glasner earlier this season, and ended up playing for the Eagles’ U21s before returning to first-team contention.

Meanwhile, Frank Lampard and Coventry City have had a relatively smooth season. For the most part, CCFC is comfortably at the top of the Championship standings, despite winning only one of their last five league games.

Romain Esse agrees to Coventry City loan move

Journalist Pete O’Rourke revealed on X that Esse, 20, has ‘signed a contract to join Coventry City on loan till the end of the season’, while it is unknown whether Coventry City has the option or responsibility to make the transfer permanent.

The move follows recent claims that Coventry City was among the clubs interested in signing Esse this month, with the England U21s player appearing as a substitute in each of Palace’s previous three games.

And O’Rourke adds that Esse’s move to Coventry is ‘likely to be confirmed this week’, with Lampard’s side expected to make many transfers in this month’s transfer window in order to solidify their standing at the top of the Championship table.

Who else is Coventry City looking at in January?

Coventry City agreeing to an early deal for Esse demonstrates Lampard’s intent this month. Don’t expect CCFC to slow down now, especially because several other names have been linked with a move to the Championship leaders as well.

Among them is Liel Abada. Recent sources have claimed that Coventry City are interested in Abada, who now plays for Celtic; however, it is unclear whether the Scottish club’s recent managerial change will affect their readiness to let Abada go this month.

Meanwhile, Luke O’Nien has been linked with a move to Coventry City. The Sunderland favourite has only appeared twice in the Premier League this season, and reports suggest that CCFC, West Brom, and Birmingham City are all interested in signing the versatile defender.

And, in what might be a significant boost for Lampard, it has been suggested that Birmingham City are not interested in O’Nien this month, thus opening the door for a Coventry City bid.

CCFC will play former manager Mark Robins’ Stoke City team in the FA Cup this weekend before returning to Championship action against Leicester City the following weekend.