MOORE THE MERRIER?
Wales striker Kieffer will have a big decision to make if Cardiff City really have made him a top transfer target... but he’s only one of many Wales stars facing an uncertain future this summer
GARETH Bale dominates the headlines, as per usual, but the summer transfer window is actually a huge one for many of his Wales team-mates as well.
So many of Ryan Giggs’ aces, who splendidly fired Wales to the Euros, face real uncertainty over their own futures.
Where will they actually be playing ahead of next summer’s finals?
We take a look at the leading players in Giggs’ team as a busy transfer window kicks in...
Wayne Hennessey
Giggs’ number one played as many matches for Wales as he did Crystal Palace this season and will want more game time next year.
Vicente Guaita, who ousted Hennessey as Palace number one, is being linked with a move to Real Betis in Spain so that might enable Hennessey to re-establish himself as Roy Hodgson’s first choice.
But it Guaita stays, Hennessey will need to move if he wants more regular football.
Chris Gunter
Wales’ record cap holder is looking for a new club, having been released by Reading after eight years and more than 300 matches.
Middlesbrough and Birmingham are among the clubs linked with Gunter, who has also lost his place in Giggs’ first-choice XI to Connor Roberts and is likely to be pushed even further down the pecking order by the emergence of Liverpool’s Neco Williams. Connor Roberts
Bizarre how his name doesn’t get linked with a Premier League move. Outstanding in the play-off ties against Brentford, but given the lack of interest he’s likely to remain with Swansea City.
Joe Rodon
Previously linked with a £20m move to either Manchester United or their rivals Manchester City, Rodon will continue to be subject of intense speculation.
Ball-playing centre-backs who are also big and quick aren’t ten-a-penny. Expect bids to come in for a player who will be in defence for Wales for the next decade.
Chris Mepham
Rodon’s partner as Giggs’ first-choice centre-half pairing, but suddenly finds himself with the prospect of Championship football following Bournemouth’s relegation.
Possesses the same qualities as Rodon. Premier League clubs will be eyeing him, but may need to content himself with second tier football.
Ashley Williams
Soon to be 36, but still fit as a fiddle and harbours ambitions of regaining his place in the Wales team. His contract with Bristol City has come to an end. His vast experience could benefit another Championship club.
Ben Davies
Has established himself as Jose Mourinho’s left-back with Spurs. Can look forward to a big season with them.
Ethan Ampadu
Had limited game time on loan at RB Leipzig, but was outstanding in a Champions League win over Tottenham and returns to the Chelsea fold. Blues boss Frank Lampard has shown he is ready to give youngsters a chance and Ampadu will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Billy Gilmour and Mason Mount.
He’s certainly good enough, although Chelsea have a glut of midfielders. At 19, Ampadu has time on his side.
Joe Allen
He’s too good for the Championship, but looks almost certain to be playing for Stoke City again.
Aaron Ramsey
Who hasn’t he been linked with, amid speculation Juventus are ready to part company? A swap deal with Chelsea for Brazilian Jorginho is one of many rumours that has done the rounds.
Another swap, seeing Ramsey and Paul Pogba switch clubs, has also been suggested as Juventus chase the French World Cup winner from Manchester United.
One thing is for certain whoever Ramsey plays for next season, be that Juventus, Man Utd or Chelsea, that team will benefit from his mercurial midfield playmaking skills.
Well he surely can’t be staying with Real Madrid, can he?
Tottenham, Man Utd, Newcastle and Bayern Munich have each been linked with Wales’ talisman, who Zinedine ZIdane insists chose not to travel for Real Madrid’s Champions League return clash with Manchester City.
Not that Zidane was likely to play him anyway, given recent history.
Bale will be the big story of the summer transfer window, as he has been for a number of years. Only this time a move does look likely.
Dan James
Manchester United’s pursuit of Jadon Sancho and the stunning emergence of Mason Greenwood has pushed the Wales flier down the Old Trafford pecking order.
His game time will be more limited next season and there is a suggestion Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will send him out on loan.
If so, James won’t be short of suitors who’ll love his pace and goal power.
David Brooks
He will either be the best player in the Championship by a mile, or sold with a glut of Premier League clubs chasing Brooks’ skills.
Leicester, West Ham, Tottenham and Crystal Palace are among the suitors, but the £40m asking fee from Bournemouth could be a problem.
Brooks is likely to be moving on, the question is where?
Harry Wilson
Liverpool have loaned him out for two seasons and might be prepared to do that again.
Wilson has shone for Derby and Bournemouth and clubs will be queuing up to land him on a season’s loan.
But a permanent move from Anfield is also on the cards, with Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa leading the £15m hunt.
Ben Woodburn
He’s three years younger than Wilson and has also spent a couple of seasons on loan.
Jurgen Klopp is a big admirer. Does he let Woodburn go for another season, or does he bring him back into the Liverpool first-team fold and give him opportunities from the bench and in cup matches? Kieffer Moore
Welsh football’s newest cult figure is leaving Wigan in a £3m deal, the only issue is where he goes.
Cardiff City are leading the hunt and Moore is keen to join the Bluebirds.
However, there are complications and it seems Cardiff and Moore need to close the gap on personal terms being offered.
In the background a host of other teams also want Moore, including Stoke, Derby, Millwall and QPR.
Joining Cardiff means he will be in the Welsh spotlight more for Ryan Giggs, but Moore is likely to score goals at Championship level wherever he goes.