Busy day for Bluebirds as Whyte signs and deal for Glatzel moves closer
CARDIFF City are set to complete a move for German striker Robert Glatzel. The Heidenheim striker is already in the Welsh capital ahead of a proposed move that could cost in the region of £5.5m.
The Bluebirds are hopeful that Glatzel will be a big star in the Championship, having been impressed by his tally of 13 goals in 26 games in the German second tier last season.
His exploits in Germany also saw him net a hat-trick in the DFB-Pokal tie with Bayern Munich a few months ago, while he also scored three goals in the 5-1 hammering over Middlesbrough in pre-season.
The signing of Glatzel would certainly be in line with previous suggestions from both boss Neil Warnock and club insiders.
Speaking after the weekend’s victory over Nice , Warnock confirmed the club were looking at casting their eye to Europe in their search for a new forward option, which has become an increasingly pressing priority since the departure of Kenneth Zohore earlier in the summer.
“There’s not a lot around [in the UK],” he said.
“So we’ve got to do what we can. We got £8m with Ken and I know people will say you shouldn’t sell him until you’ve got someone, but I just felt he needed the change and we did.
“It’s not as easy as you think but we are working really hard.
“This morning I had meetings galore and calls, you name it.
“Mehmet Dalman and Ken Choo are really trying hard.
“I’d rather wait and get our main targets over the line. I think we’ve got reserves up our sleeves for probably a second striker, but I’d rather try and get a main one if I can.
“We’re looking overseas because I don’t think there’s much around here.
“There might be the odd one late on in a loan deal over here, but anyone of any substance has gone in terms of what I’m looking for.”
Glatzel’s imminent signing came after Gavin Whyte completed his move from Oxford United.
The 23-year old has signed a fouryear deal with City and joins for an undisclosed fee.
The winger becomes Cardiff’s sixth signing of the summer, following on from Will Vaulks, Curtis Nelson, Joe Day, Aaron Bolger and Aden Flint.
Whyte scored nine goals for Oxford United last season, and has so far won five international caps for Northern Ireland, having scored on his international debut with his first touch last September.
There could yet be further movement before the close of the transfer window, with Cardiff understood to be in the market for another attacking reinforcement on the back of this potential double capture.