WILL CITY BID FOR CLYNE?

CARDIFF City are weighing up a January loan move for Liverpool’s Nathaniel Clyne, writes Dominic Booth.

The Bluebirds want a right-back, striker and midfielder to boost their Premier League survival bid when the winter transfer window opens and the South Wales Echo understands Clyne is among those on their radar.

The England international has failed to play a single minute of league football for Liverpool this season and has seen young starlet Trent Alexander-Arnold take his place in the Reds side.

Both Clyne and manager Jurgen Klopp are believed to be open to a January exit – though Cardiff could face competition for his signature.

The Bluebirds have been forced to play centre-back Bruno Manga on the right side of defence this season with Lee Peltier and Jazz Richards having struggled for fitness, and Callum Paterson – signed as a right back – playing up front.

Cardiff are eager to exploit the loan market in January, with Clyne high on their list of priorities, though it is understood a striker is top of that list.

The only potential sticking point would be the 27-year-old’s wages, though it is hoped a structured deal – similar to the one Neil Warnock struck with Liverpool for midfielder Marko Grujic 12 months ago – could be agreed.

Clyne has 14 England caps to his name but, with Alexander-Arnold and even Joe Gomez and Fabinho preferred at right back for Liverpool this season, he’s stuck on 99 Reds’ appearances.

His last competitive outing came in Liverpool’s 2-1 Carabao Cup defeat to Chelsea and he only made five appearances last season in all competitions after a back injury kept him sidelined.

Warnock knows Clyne from their time together at Crystal Palace having given the right-back his professional debut and stating he “has a bright future in the game” back in 2008.

Premier League rules mean the Bluebirds can only have two loan players from clubs in the English top flight at any one time.

With Harry Arter occupying one of those places already, Cardiff may wait and see how their search for a striker fares before pouncing for

Clyne.