'I need centre-backs!' Erol Bulut

'I need centre-backs!' Erol Bulut makes Cardiff City transfer plea and hopes for happy surprise before deadline day

The Bluebirds boss spoke about his hopes for the rest of the transfer window

Cardiff City manager Erol Bulut hopes to add at least one centre-back to his side before Friday's transfer deadline and has not ruled out the possibility of signing a striker.

The Bluebirds have added eight players so far in this window, but the team Bulut named on Tuesday night against Birmingham City, a game they won 3-1, included no centre-backs, such is their shortage in that position.

Bulut was clear that he wants to bolster that position before the window shuts at the end of the week.

"We need centre-backs!" he laughed. "I hope [to sign] at least one. Maybe two centre-backs."

Bournemouth striker Kieffer Moore's name continues to be linked with Cardiff City and when WalesOnline asked if he was a player the manager would like back at the club, he said: "Right now I cannot say anything. Wait until Friday and then we will see surprises, I hope!"

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After tonight I think we all know he’s telling porkies. The formation will be 0-7-3. If we are under the cosh 0-8-2

Cardiff City have targeted ex-England Under-21s defender Jonathan Panzo before Friday night's 23:00 BST transfer window deadline.

But they have competition for the 22-year-old Nottingham Forest player with Welsh rivals Swansea City also believed to be interested.

Cardiff can only do a loan deal for Panzo because of a Football League transfer embargo.

But Swansea can pay a fee for any recruits.

The Bluebirds are working hard to secure the Chelsea product, who had a loan spell with Championship play off finalists Coventry City in 2022-23, featuring in 29 league games.

The left-sided centre back left Chelsea for Monaco in a £1.5m deal in 2018, but played just twice for the French club before going to Dijon following a loan spell with Cercle Bruges.

He joined Forest for an undisclosed fee in January 2022 and played once for Steve Cooper's side.

Former Swans boss Cooper has signed Murillo from from Brazilian club Corinthians and says a deal to sign another defender, Nuno Tavares, is "at the final stage".

Cooper also says there is "no official news" on reports linking forward Brennan Johnson with a move away.

Cardiff manager Erol Bulut expects to sign a centre-back before the window shuts and the departure of Jack Simpson, who has left by mutual consent, makes the need more urgent.

His exit also frees up money for a new face as Cardiff look to balance their books.