STRIKER LINKED WITH CITY MOVE
IPSWICH STRIKER MCGOLDRICK TIPPED FOR BLUEBIRDS SWITCH PLUS OUR GUIDE TO THE KEY CHAMPIONSHIP TRANSFERS AS DEADLINE DAY LOOMS:
NEW recruits Marko Grujic and Yanic Wildschut both featured in Cardiff City’s 0-0 draw with Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.
And Neil Warnock admits he still hopes to add to his squad before the end of the January transfer window, with a striker featuring at the top of his list of priorities.
But how does the Bluebirds’ business in the winter window so far compare with that of their promotion rivals?
We took a closer look...
WOLVES
Signings: Rafael Mir Having splashed the cash in the summer, the Championship leaders once again strengthened their attacking options this month in the shape of striker Rafael Mir.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side forked out £2m to take the 20-year-old striker from Valencia to Molineux, and the Spaniard has made four appearances for his new club, although they have failed to win a single one of those outings.
DERBY COUNTY
Signings: Cameron Jerome The Rams put together a hugely impressive run of results that saw them charge up to second spot in the table, a run that coincided with Gary Rowett being handed a new contract.
And as with Wolves, they have chosen to bolster their forward options by securing the services of Cameron Jerome from Norwich City.
The former Bluebird made his Derby debut in the Rams’ 0-0 draw with Bristol City and could well be the man to give Rowett’s side the additional firepower needed to pip Cardiff and the rest of the chasing pack to second spot, with Wolves seemingly cruising to the title.
CARDIFF CITY
Signings: Yanic Wildschut (loan) and Marko Grujic (loan) Wildschut impressed on his debut against Sunderland and showed promising glimpses in the 0-0 draw with Sheffield Wednesday while Grujic will no doubt bring plenty of quality having played for Liverpool and Serbia’s national team.
The missing piece in the puzzle is undoubtedly a striker given that Danny Ward is likely to miss the rest of the season while Omar Bogle, Kenneth Zohore and Rhys Healey have all had injury problems.
ASTON VILLA
Signings: None A run of four consecutive Championship wins has seen Steve Bruce’s side fly up the league table in recent weeks, and the return of John Terry to the side has undoubtedly been a factor in that impressive form.
But it remains to be seen whether or not they’ll add to their ranks in January.
BRISTOL CITY
Signings: Liam Walsh and Ryan Kent (loan) The Robins are without a league win since Boxing Day, and, while the club have been enjoying a remarkable run in the Carabao Cup, Lee Johnson has been quick to add to his squad as Cardiff’s Severnside rivals look to maintain their promotion bid.
Bristol City have taken midfielder Liam Walsh from Everton on a permanent deal, while they have also snapped up winger Ryan Kent on loan from the Toffees’ Merseyside rivals Liverpool until the end of the season.
SHEFFIELD UNITED
Signings: Lee Evans, Ryan Leonard, Ricky Holmes, James Wilson (loan) One of the busier Championship sides in January with regards to transfer business, Chris Wilder has made full use of the market this month.
The Blades remain in the mix for a play-off spot and have snapped up Welsh midfielder Lee Evans – who won his first cap in the friendly with Panama – from Wolves along with Ryan Leonard and Ricky Holmes from Southend and Charlton respectively.
The loan signing of forward James Wilson from Manchester United will be seen as a huge coup.
FULHAM
Signings: Matt Targett (loan) The Cottagers are another side to have enjoyed an upturn in form of late, with Slavisa Jokanovic’s side winning all three of their league fixtures in 2018 so far, scoring 11 goals in the process.
It’s defence they have turned to for their first signing of the window, taking Southampton left-back Matt Target on loan.
MIDDLESBROUGH
Signings: None Boro are yet to add to their squad this month, although Tony Pulis will no doubt have wanted time to assess his new squad having replaced Garry Monk as boss in December.
And given that Middlesbrough spent big last summer, the Welshman may well feel that his side aren’t as desperate as others to sign new recruits this month, although a new winger may well be on Pulis’ wishlist. BRENTFORD Signings: Emiliano Marcondes The Bees are another side bang in form having won five of their last six league matches, with their only defeat coming to table toppers Wolves.
They added young Danish forward Emiliano Marcondes to their ranks this month, although the deal was actually completed last summer. But there’s little else to shout about as far as transfers are concerned.
LEEDS UNITED
Signings: Adam Forshaw, Laurens De Bock, Yosuke Ideguchi, Aapo Halme and Yuta Toyokawa The Whites are without a win in 2018, and Thomas Christiansen has once again plunged into the market to strengthen his options.
Leeds pipped Cardiff to the signing of former Everton man Adam Forshaw from Middlesbrough while they have turned to the Continent to take Laurens De Bock and Aapo Halme to Elland Road from Club Brugge KV and HJK Helsinki respectively.
They have also signed inexperienced Japanese duo Yuta Toyokawa and Yosuke Ideguchi, although the pair have since been loaned out to Belgian side Eupen and Spanish outfit Cultural Leonesa respectively.
PRESTON
Signings: Billy Bodin, Louis Moult and Connor Simpson A number of clubs were thought to be monitoring Wales Under-21 striker Billy Bodin, and the 25-year-old opted to join Preston from Bristol Rovers this month.
And Alex Neil’s side have also added former Wrexham centre forward Louis Moult to their first team from Motherwell.
IPSWICH TOWN
Signings: Aaron Drinan, Stephen Gleeson and Cameron Carter-Vickers (loan) After an impressive start, the Tractor Boys have slowly drifted away from the play-off reckoning, although they are still only six points behind sixth-placed Sheffield United.
Mick McCarthy’s side have signed highly-rated centre-back Cameron Carter-Vickers on loan from Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham this month, with the 20-year-old making his debut in a 1-1 draw at Bolton.
Central midfielder Stephen Gleeson made the move from Birmingham to Portman Road while Ipswich’s only other addition has seen 19-year-old prospect Aaron Drinan sign from Waterford United.