Coventry City Part Ways with Norman Bassette Again as Striker Heads Home to Belgium
The 21-year-old has joined Belgian top-flight side KVC Westerlo on a season-long loan with an option to buy, marking his second summer exit from the Sky Blues.
Coventry City have confirmed that Norman Bassette has departed the club for a second consecutive summer as the young striker seeks regular first-team football elsewhere . The Belgian forward has joined KVC Westerlo on loan for the 2026/27 campaign, with the deal including a clause that gives the Belgian club an option to make the move permanent at the end of the season .
The 21-year-old’s departure comes as little surprise to those who have followed his frustrating spell at the CBS Arena. Bassette joined the Sky Blues from French club Caen in the summer of 2024 for an undisclosed fee, signing a four-year contract through to 2028 . However, the move has simply not worked out for the Belgian international, who has struggled to establish himself under Frank Lampard .
A Tale of Two Loans
Bassette spent the entirety of last season away from Coventry, first on loan at French second-division side Stade de Reims and then at German Bundesliga 2 outfit Kaiserslautern . The forward was initially sent to Reims on what was supposed to be a season-long loan in September 2025, having made 29 appearances for Coventry during the 2024/25 campaign and scoring twice . While at the Ligue 2 club, he made 13 appearances, scoring two goals, but failed to nail down a regular starting spot, starting just six matches .
In a move designed to secure more game time, Coventry recalled Bassette from Reims in January 2026 and immediately sent him to German side Kaiserslautern for the remainder of the season . The 2. Bundesliga club’s sporting director, Marcel Klos, welcomed the striker, praising his “speed, aggression and mentality” – qualities that matched the club’s strategic approach . Bassette managed two goals in 16 Bundesliga 2 appearances for Kaiserslautern , but the loan did not result in a permanent move.
Fresh Start at Westerlo
Now, Bassette is heading back to his homeland to join KVC Westerlo, who are undergoing a significant rebuild this summer after losing several key players . The Belgian outfit have already secured the signing of Fabio Ferraro from FCV Dender and are continuing to strengthen their squad .
The move represents a fresh opportunity for the striker who was born in Arlon, Belgium, on November 9, 2004, and stands at 1.86 metres tall . Before joining Coventry, Bassette had already experienced Belgian football, having spent the 2023/24 season on loan at KV Mechelen, where he impressed with five goals in 22 appearances . It was those performances that caught the attention of Coventry’s recruitment team .
International Recognition
Despite his struggles at club level, Bassette has earned international recognition. He was called up to the senior Belgium national team in 2024 by manager Domenico Tedesco during a period of injuries and absences . He made a brief senior appearance, coming off the bench in the final minute of a 1-0 defeat to Israel in Hungary – a match fans would rather forget . He has also represented Belgium at various youth levels, scoring six goals in ten caps for the U21 side .
What This Means for Coventry City
Bassette’s departure is a clear indication that he does not feature in Frank Lampard’s plans moving forward . This situation has been strengthened by Coventry’s promotion to the Premier League, where the demands are even higher . With the Sky Blues preparing for their first top-flight campaign in 25 years, Lampard has already been active in the transfer market, signing Switzerland defender Aurele Amenda for a deal worth more than £17 million, as well as winger Loum Tchaouna from Burnley and midfielder Frank Onyeka from Brentford .
The option-to-buy clause in Bassette’s loan deal to Westerlo suggests Coventry are open to a permanent exit, allowing the player to rebuild his career while the Sky Blues move forward with their Premier League preparations. For Bassette, the challenge now is to rediscover the form that made him a promising prospect in Belgium and prove he can deliver consistent performances at senior level.
