Warnock issues warning on Zohore
CARDIFF City manager Neil Warnock admits the club may sell star striker Kenneth Zohore in January – if the club’s promotion hopes have faded by Christmas.
Warnock was being quizzed about whether he’d add many new faces to his squad in January on Talksport when he revealed that he would let the Danish striker go if the Bluebirds drop down the table.
Zohore garnered plenty of interest in the summer, with the Bluebirds rumoured to have turned down a £17 million bid from Brighton, while Everton and Hull City were also interested.
Speaking about Zohore’s future, Warnock said: “We’ve turned down money four times for players. We turned down a lot of money for Zohore.
“I said if we’re not in that top eight or nine by Christmas, we’ll sell him and then look to the future.
“All credit to him, he’s stood by us and turned down some good money. I’m sure his agent was keen on him leaving because that’s when they get paid.
“When I came here, he was in the reserves and he had no chance.
“I think the player needs another year (in the Championship) and he will become a very good player and one for the future.”
While there could be a big-name departing the Cardiff City Stadium after Christmas, it would appear unlikely that there will be many, if any, new faces arriving in January.
“I don’t think we’ll spend much money in January,” said the 68-yearold. “What I said is to the chairman and owners is let’s keep the players we’ve got.”
Cardiff look to end a run of three matches without a win at Sunderland on Saturday, and they wilkl have to beware Callum McManaman, one of the Black Cats’ summer signings, who is keen to open his account.
“I’m still not fully fit but I feel like I am getting there and when I can get one goal I can get a few,” said the former Wigan and West Brom midfielder, who has two assists to his name.
“It has been decent, but I want to score more goals.”
And McManaman is hoping to continue his fruitful partnership with James Vaughan after the striker opened his own Sunderland account in the 1-1 draw with Hull.
“He will get a few more now. He knew exactly where I was putting it when I got to the byline, I didn’t even need to tell him,” added McManaman.
“He knows what we are going to do, he has seen me play over the years.”