DEAL OR NO DEAL AS WE ASSESS TRANSFER TALK
Neil Warnock is yet to add to his Cardiff City squad ahead of the Bluebirds’ return to the Premier League.
But the Yorkshireman is well underway with his preparations for the 2018-19 season, stating after Cardiff’s stunning promotion that he was eyeing up six new recruits over the coming months.
They’ve already been linked with several players, but no deals have been concluded as of yet, although it’s still early days.
And we’ve run the rule over those to be linked with a move to the Welsh capital so far and delivered our verdict on whether or not a deal is likely to go ahead...
Sam Johnstone (Manchester United)
The 25-year-old’s contract with Manchester United expires in the summer, and there will be plenty of interest shown in the goalkeeper.
He’s enjoyed a fine season on loan with Aston Villa, starring in between the sticks as the Villans beat Cardiff 1-0 during the Bluebirds’ promotion run-in.
The goalkeeper himself has admitted he may need to leave Old Trafford permanently to get regular game time while Steve Bruce is eager for Johnstone to remain at Villa Park beyond this season.
So there’s no doubt that Villa are set to be in the running, although it could well depend on their Championship play-off final clash with Fulham.
Cardiff would be able to offer Premier League football next season, something Villa wouldn’t be able to boast if they suffer Wembley heartache against Slavisa Jokanovic’s side.
Johnstone would be available on a free this summer if he isn’t offered a new deal by the Red Devils, something that would be music to the ears of the Cardiff hierarchy.
But there will no doubt be a host of clubs circling if he does leave United. And with the money some others may be able to offer Johnstone, Cardiff could well be nearer the bottom end of the pecking order.
Lukasz Fabianski (Swansea City)
The goalkeeper is expected to end his four year association with the Swans this summer following the club’s relegation from the Premier League.
And he has been sensationally linked with a move up the M4 to the Cardiff City Stadium.
He was a shining light in a miserable season for Swansea last time out, so much so that he scooped the club’s Player of the Season award.
The Polish international still has one year left on his current deal with Cardiff’s neighbours, and you feel that if a deal was to go through, the Bluebirds would have to fork out a hefty sum.
And while you can never say never, it’s highly unlikely that this one will happen.
Niclas Füllkrug (Hannover)
The German striker has been linked with several Premier League and Championship clubs in the window so far, including Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Leicester City.
Füllkrug impressed for Hannover last season, scoring 16 times in all competitions for the Bundesliga outfit.
It was his best goal return in a season by some distance, although having been tipped by some to claim a spot in Germany’s World Cup squad, the forward ultimately missed out on a place in Joachim Low’s provisional side for the Russia tournament.
But he’s impressed sufficiently enough for people to take note.
In a similar way to Johnstone, Füllkrug may be swayed by interest from more established Premier League clubs if it did come about.
But having spent his entire career so far in his homeland, as well as the fact he still has two years left on his deal with Hannover having enjoyed his best season in football last time out, a move to the UK, let alone Cardiff, appears unlikely.
Salomon Rondon (West Brom)
The striker has been linked with a £12.5m move from relegated West Brom to the Welsh capital this summer. And following those initial reports, bookies installed Cardiff - along with Watford - as the 4/1 favourites to secure his services ahead of the new season.
The Venezuelan frontman netted 10 goals in all competitions for the Baggies last term and has previously
had spells with Zenit St. Petersburg, Rubin Kazan, Malaga and Las Palmas.
So there’s no doubt he’s got the experience of playing at the top level while his physical stature could be used very effectively in a Warnock side. The asking price could well prove to be a stumbling block depending on what the Bluebirds’ wish to spend on other recruits.
But Rondon will no doubt be eager to remain as a Premier League player, meaning he is highly likely to exit The Hawthorns this summer.
Andre Gray (Watford)
As with Rondon, reports earlier this year suggested that Cardiff would have the first pick of signing Watford striker Gray this summer.
Just days after the 2017-18 Championship season came to an end, Bet Victor listed the Bluebirds as the red hot favourites to clinch a deal that would see Gray move to South Wales this summer.
Brighton and Everton are among the other clubs linked with the forward who bagged five Premier League goals in the previous campaign.
His goalscoring record in his debut campaign with the Hornets hasn’t exactly excited fans, although his return of 33 goals in 78 appearances for former club Burnley certainly offers more hope.
Probably more mobile than Rondon and armed with plenty of Premier League experience, the 26-year-old is certainly a viable option.
But - again - as with Rondon, his price could be too much for the Bluebirds given that he cost Watford a fee believed to be in the region of £18.5m which would represent a significant risk on what would be seen as a big gamble.
James McArthur (Crystal Palace)
The Scotland international still has two years left on his current deal with Crystal Palace, but has been heavily linked with a move away from Selhurst Park in recent weeks.
He made 35 appearances in all competitions for the Eagles last term, scoring seven goals.
But the Bluebirds – along with Aston Villa and Rangers – have been linked with a swoop for the 30-year-old this summer. However, McArthur himself was quick to dismiss the rumours, adding that he hopes to end his professional career with Crystal Palace.
“I’m not bothered (about the transfer speculation),” said McArthur.
“I’m a Palace player, I love it here. I want to stay here. I’d love to finish my career here. I love it. It’s a great bunch, the fans are amazing, the manager; everyone at the club has been brilliant since I stepped foot in the place.”
While the right offer could certainly tempt Roy Hodgson’s men, it seems McArthur has his heart on staying put, making any potential move unlikely.