Gallagher on Cardiff’s radar... but not Ledley
NEIL Warnock is thought to have already held talks with the main men he wants to sign for Cardiff City this summer – but a homecoming for Joe Ledley isn’t on the cards.
And instead the Bluebirds boss will concentrate on landing a new striker to provide the goals for a playoff charge – with Southampton starlet Sam Gallagher thought to be among those being targeted.
Ledley, 30, is set to leave Crystal Palace this summer as his Selhurst Park deal comes to an end. It had led to supporter speculation a return to Cardiff City Stadium would be in the pipeline for the midfielder, the Wales Euro 2016 hero having come through the ranks with his hometown team.
But Ledley’s Premier League wages mean there is little hope of Cardiff being able to match rival offers, with the former Celtic man thought to want to stay in the topflight.
It’s meant the midfielder is not thought to have been on the Bluebirds’ wishlist as Warnock throws his focus on attacking talent to try and give Cardiff a chance of a play-off push next season.
Having led the side from relegation worry to mid-table with impressive ease, the veteran promotionwinner has eyed greater firepower and cutting edge in attack as the area he wants to concentrate on with his summer rebuilding.
It is understood Warnock has already made headway as he seeks support for last year’s surprise top scorer, Danish rookie Kenneth Zohore.
Cardiff are keeping their cards close to their chest in terms of who is heading up their target list, with Warnock understood to have had discussions over a number of potential signings.
But it is thought that 21-year-old livewire Gallagher is among those who have been identified by the 68-year-old, the Saints product having impressed on loan at Blackburn last year.
It remains to be seen what level of competition Cardiff would face for Gallagher given the likes of Aston Villa and Wolves who have been linked with the former Plymouth youth player.
And there have been some claims Southampton would want £7m for Gallagher, but it is more likely to be around the £3.5m mark.
But it is an indicator that Warnock is keen to give the Bluebirds a greater edge in attack with his transfer business this summer.
The Yorkshireman has made moves to trim Cardiff’s wage budget as he seeks the transfer cash to build on his eye-catching start to life in South Wales.
Aberdeen ace Jonny Hayes remains a target, though the Bluebirds will have to fight off interest from Glasgow giants Celtic if they are to land the 29-year-old.
Warnock got up and running in the market this week when Cardiff confirmed the signings of out-ofcontract pair Neil Etheridge and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, two players the Bluebirds chief believes he can develop at the club. Winger Mendez-Laing arrives from Rochdale while Etheridge – who is likely to be one of two keepers signed by Warnock this summer – signs having impressed at Walsall.