As attention turns to the looming January transfer window, I’ve given some thought to the players that might be up for grabs and attainable for Cardiff. No one will be keen to lose an integral player mid-season, so chances are that everone will be fighting over the same group of available players.
Danny Drinkwater
http://gty.im/1009495180
The former Cardiff loanee, like many that feature in this list, has yet to play a first-team league minute thus far this season. Drinkwater may have hit the jackpot by signing for Chelsea, but his career has stalled and a heavily subidised loan may be in the offing. Maybe a more realistic target than the more trendy, similarly neglected Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Nick Powell
http://gty.im/1021454478
I would not be at all surprised if Nick Powell were to rock up in January. Rumoured to be in the mix when Cardiff signed Lee Tomlin (doh!), the former Manchester United attacking midfielder is out of contract in the summer and may be available for a relatively paltry amount.
Sam Vokes
http://gty.im/1043500356
Another one that might make sense. Cardiff are likely to pursue a Gary Madine upgrade and Sam Vokes is certainly that. Like Powell, he is also heading out of contract and the Welsh international might be enticed by a more prominant role.
Dominic Solanke
http://gty.im/1047545706
Everyone is going snooker loopy for the young, English talent that is emerging and striker Dominic Solanke is no exception. Very highly rated, yet he can’t get anywhere near the Liverpool side and has not played a single minute yet either. A loan spell away would probably benefit all parties.
Ademola Lookman
http://gty.im/1044651040
Ademola Lookman looks the real deal. I’ve been really impressed by him everytime I’ve seen him and I’m a bit mystified as to why he doesn’t get more of a look in at Everton. Having enjoyed a successful spell at RB Leipzig last year, they were bidding in the region of £20m for him in the summer, but were rebuffed by Everton. He would be my first loan target come January.
Reece Oxford
http://gty.im/1022954988
Reece Oxford led the way for the likes of Lookman and Jadon Sancho by heading to Germany to learn his trade, joining Borussia Monchengladbach in 2017. The elegant West Ham centre back slash central midfielder has yet to feature for West Ham this year, but he’s still only 19 and rich in potential.
Jordon Ibe
http://gty.im/1010477924
Bournemouth paid Liverpool a reported £16m for Jordon Ibe in 2016, but the powerful winger can’t get a run in the Bournemouth side at present. Cardiff are far better equipped on the left flank than they are on the right-hand side, so maybe Ibe might be worth targetting on loan.
Lazar Markovic
http://gty.im/1001948860
The well-travelled Serb has already racked up four loan spells away from Liverpool since joining in 2014. It is easy to lose sight of just how highly Lazar Markovic was rated when they landed him. A prodigy at Partizan Belgrade, he flourished at Benfica and Liverpool celebrated the capture of one of Europe’s brightest prospects. Now 24, he is heading out of contract and remains a rough diamond.
Leroy Fer
http://gty.im/1046604500
The Swansea midfielder recently returned from injury to give their promotion prospects a lift, but the Dutch international, who has also turned out for Norwich and QPR, will be a free agent in the summer. They may decide to cash in on him rather than lose him for nothing and he would be a shrewd signing.
Fernando Llorente
http://gty.im/900756020
Continuing the Swansea theme, things started to head south when they sold Fernando Llorente to Tottenham. The Spanish dreamboat, now 33, rarely features these days, but would be a great fit for Cardiff, were they willing to take on his hefty salary.
Oumar Niasse
http://gty.im/1034687452
Linked heavily with Cardiff in the summer after Neil Warnock joked about taking him off Everton’s hands in the summer, the Senegalese forward is a hard worker and would be a big hit with the Cardiff faithful. He’s in the same boat as Lookman and it is likely that at least one will be shipped out.
Vincent Janssen
http://gty.im/835891256
If Llorente is finding football hard to come by, he certainly has more chance of playing than Dutch striker Vincent Janssen, who hasn’t even been given a squad number by Spurs this season. Prolific in Holland, not so much in England, but the 24-year-old is undoubtedly better than what Cardiff currently have.
Nathaniel Chalobah
http://gty.im/844851746
Nathaniel Chalobah has played as much for England this season than he has for Watford in the Premier League. Having returned to fitness after a lengthy lay off, he needs games and may have to go elsewhere for them. He’s a very good player and deserves the chance to justify Gareth Southgate’s faith in him.
Divock Origi
http://gty.im/1047625404
Divock Origi has yet to even make the Liverpool bench this season, let alone get on the pitch. A real shame for the 23-year-old Belgian striker who, like Lookman, was valued at around the £20m mark by his club and priced out of a move. He would walk in to most Premier League sides and will walk away from Liverpool as a free agent in the summer, if they don’t cash in on him.
Ethan Ampadu
http://gty.im/1012875010
The dream ticket for some. As bright a prospect as Wales have discovered since the likes of Bale, Ramsey and Allen, Ethan Ampadu is class in a glass. Composed, elegant and yet to play a single minute for Chelsea in the league, where he is up against fierce competition, including Drinkwater and Loftus-Cheek. Warnock has quipped about going for him, or maybe it wasn’t a quip?