By Jon Colman

Last updated at 11:40, Tuesday, 16 June 2009

Carlisle United are on alert for a £1 million windfall as Coventry started clearing the way for the big-money sale of ex-Blues ‘keeper Keiren Westwood.

Keiren Westwood

Reports in the Midlands claim the Sky Blues are preparing a swoop for Scunthorpe’s Joe Murphy if Westwood is snapped up by a top-flight outfit.

The Republic of Ireland man is unlikely to leave the Ricoh Arena for anything less than £4 million – and Carlisle negotiated a 25 per cent sell-on clause in the deal which took Westwood to Coventry last summer.

Westwood has earned a host of admirers in the top-flight after cementing his reputation as the best gloveman in the Football League.

Everton and Tottenham are among those said to be very keen on the ex-Man City custodian and a lucrative transfer this summer would provide a huge knock-on boost to Carlisle’s coffers.

United were criticised by fans for parting with 24-year-old Westwood for a deal worth just £750,000 last summer.

But the sell-on clause could now provide a timely cash injection to the Brunton Park club at a time when money is tight.

Westwood recently entered contract talks with Coventry over a possible extension to his current deal, but manager Chris Coleman cannot be confident of keeping the ex-United hero, even though no offers have been tabled so far.

The Ricoh gaffer started similar negotiations with star defender Scott Dann but he was last week prised away by Birmingham for £3.5 million.

It means the Sky Blues are now drawing up contingency plans in case the likes of Westwood also leave, with Murphy – out of contract at Scunthorpe – their preferred option.

First published at 11:27, Tuesday, 16 June 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk