' The strikers Cardiff City could target in January '
Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2018 6:01 am
The strikers Cardiff City could target in January
By Dominic Booth
Tuesday 9th October 2018
Cardiff City turned to an unorthodox striking option against Tottenham Hotspur, such have been their troubles in that position this season.
From Bobby Reid, to Kenneth Zohore, to Danny Ward, back to Zohore and now Callum Paterson, Neil Warnock certainly hasn't been shy of chopping and changing up front.
That reflects his regret over failing to land a striker in the summer, with another striker in Gary Madine struggling and Zohore looking completely shot of confidence.
And while Paterson performed admirably at Wembley, we can be sure the Bluebirds will delve into the January transfer market looking for a striker.
So who are the main candidates on their transfer shortlist?
Here are six possible targets if the Bluebirds hierarchy are indeed willing to splash the cash in early 2019...
Charlie Austin
Austin's name has often been one touted by Cardiff fans as a potential transfer option.
And such is his unerring knack of scoring crucial goals, the former QPR and Burnley man is being talked about once again by Bluebirds supporters eager to see their side become more clinical in the box.
Danny Ings' arrival at Southampton has left Austin as a bit-part player for Mark Hughes' side, therefore all parties may be open to the idea of a move. Manolo Gabbiadini is another whose Saints future is unclear, so a transfer may depend on if the Italian stays or goes.
Austin would cost the best part of 12million with 18 months remaining on his St Mary's contract.
Jay Rodriguez
Another name which was spuriously linked with Cardiff back in the summer, with the once-capped England international choosing to stay at West Brom — where he is now banging in the goals.
Rodriguez has had his fair share of injury problems but he's proven in the top flight with Southampton.
The 29-year-old would most likely represent a significant financial outlay if Cardiff wanted to lure him away from The Hawthorns. His Baggies deal runs until 2021, therefore he'd be valued upwards of £15million.
Dominic Solanke
If the Bluebirds wanted to repeat what they did 12 months ago — and negotiate a loan deal with Liverpool — then England youngster Solanke could be their man.
The former Chelsea prodigy hasn't seen the kind of regular first team action that he'd hoped having swapped Stamford Bridge for Anfield, so a loan to a Premier League club willing to offer game time could be attractive.
Solanke is lightning fast and would surely relish the opportunity to shine under Warnock.
Josip Drmic
A Switzerland international of some promise a few years ago, Drmic's career has stalled to the point where he has not featured yet this season for his club Borussia Monchengladbach.
A back injury has stalled his development this season, as well as patchy form for the past year or two.
But the 26-year-old was of interest to Premier League clubs in the summer, with Burnley, Watford and Bournemouth all reportedly keen.
His deal in Germany expires in June 2019, so a cut-price deal will surely be on the table and Gladbach may be willing to sell.
Warnock has admitted in recent weeks his January transfer net has widened to various European countries. Picking up a player like Drmic may prove to be a very smart piece of business.
Neal Maupay
Cardiff fans will probably remember Maupay for his ludicrous open goal miss at Cardiff City Stadium for Brentford last season.
But the 22-year-old Frenchman, who did score against the Bluebirds in the reverse fixture at Griffin Park, has become one of the Championship's most prolific marksmen.
Neal Maupay of Brentford celebrates scoring (Image: Getty Images Europe)
He has already bagged 10 goals in as many league appearances to fire the Bees towards the top of the Championship table.
Huddersfield have been linked with a January move, but maybe the Bluebirds could swoop instead.
Fernando Forestieri
He's back. The man who has been terrorising Championship defences for what seems an eternity — first for Watford and then for Sheffield Wednesday — has scored three times this season in eight games after a long injury lay-off.
That's not hugely prolific but Forestieri is a high calibre second tier performer who may be right up Warnock's alley.
He's a bustling, skiful striker who can also play in a slightly deeper role.
The reality of the January transfer market for Cardiff is that they may be shopping in the Championship, but they must be prepared to pay fairly big fees for quality players like Forestieri, Rodriguez or Maupay.
By Dominic Booth
Tuesday 9th October 2018
Cardiff City turned to an unorthodox striking option against Tottenham Hotspur, such have been their troubles in that position this season.
From Bobby Reid, to Kenneth Zohore, to Danny Ward, back to Zohore and now Callum Paterson, Neil Warnock certainly hasn't been shy of chopping and changing up front.
That reflects his regret over failing to land a striker in the summer, with another striker in Gary Madine struggling and Zohore looking completely shot of confidence.
And while Paterson performed admirably at Wembley, we can be sure the Bluebirds will delve into the January transfer market looking for a striker.
So who are the main candidates on their transfer shortlist?
Here are six possible targets if the Bluebirds hierarchy are indeed willing to splash the cash in early 2019...
Charlie Austin
Austin's name has often been one touted by Cardiff fans as a potential transfer option.
And such is his unerring knack of scoring crucial goals, the former QPR and Burnley man is being talked about once again by Bluebirds supporters eager to see their side become more clinical in the box.
Danny Ings' arrival at Southampton has left Austin as a bit-part player for Mark Hughes' side, therefore all parties may be open to the idea of a move. Manolo Gabbiadini is another whose Saints future is unclear, so a transfer may depend on if the Italian stays or goes.
Austin would cost the best part of 12million with 18 months remaining on his St Mary's contract.
Jay Rodriguez
Another name which was spuriously linked with Cardiff back in the summer, with the once-capped England international choosing to stay at West Brom — where he is now banging in the goals.
Rodriguez has had his fair share of injury problems but he's proven in the top flight with Southampton.
The 29-year-old would most likely represent a significant financial outlay if Cardiff wanted to lure him away from The Hawthorns. His Baggies deal runs until 2021, therefore he'd be valued upwards of £15million.
Dominic Solanke
If the Bluebirds wanted to repeat what they did 12 months ago — and negotiate a loan deal with Liverpool — then England youngster Solanke could be their man.
The former Chelsea prodigy hasn't seen the kind of regular first team action that he'd hoped having swapped Stamford Bridge for Anfield, so a loan to a Premier League club willing to offer game time could be attractive.
Solanke is lightning fast and would surely relish the opportunity to shine under Warnock.
Josip Drmic
A Switzerland international of some promise a few years ago, Drmic's career has stalled to the point where he has not featured yet this season for his club Borussia Monchengladbach.
A back injury has stalled his development this season, as well as patchy form for the past year or two.
But the 26-year-old was of interest to Premier League clubs in the summer, with Burnley, Watford and Bournemouth all reportedly keen.
His deal in Germany expires in June 2019, so a cut-price deal will surely be on the table and Gladbach may be willing to sell.
Warnock has admitted in recent weeks his January transfer net has widened to various European countries. Picking up a player like Drmic may prove to be a very smart piece of business.
Neal Maupay
Cardiff fans will probably remember Maupay for his ludicrous open goal miss at Cardiff City Stadium for Brentford last season.
But the 22-year-old Frenchman, who did score against the Bluebirds in the reverse fixture at Griffin Park, has become one of the Championship's most prolific marksmen.
Neal Maupay of Brentford celebrates scoring (Image: Getty Images Europe)
He has already bagged 10 goals in as many league appearances to fire the Bees towards the top of the Championship table.
Huddersfield have been linked with a January move, but maybe the Bluebirds could swoop instead.
Fernando Forestieri
He's back. The man who has been terrorising Championship defences for what seems an eternity — first for Watford and then for Sheffield Wednesday — has scored three times this season in eight games after a long injury lay-off.
That's not hugely prolific but Forestieri is a high calibre second tier performer who may be right up Warnock's alley.
He's a bustling, skiful striker who can also play in a slightly deeper role.
The reality of the January transfer market for Cardiff is that they may be shopping in the Championship, but they must be prepared to pay fairly big fees for quality players like Forestieri, Rodriguez or Maupay.
