Luke Chambers on the radar?

Cardiff City are rumoured to be interested in Nottingham Forest defender Luke Chambers according to skysports.com. They are reporting Cardiff are keen and are considering making an approach to Nottingham Forest for the player who has a year left on his contract and his yet to commit to a new deal with Forest.

That puts them in an awkward place if the Welshman push forward with an offer. Do they consider it or possibility of letting his contract run out and see him walk for free next season. It is a position Cardiff have found themselves in over the last few season.

Money has been tight at Forest could they be tempered for the right offer one thing for sure Forest boss Steve McClaren would not be happy to lose his captain who their Player of the Year last season.

Bellamy to Celtic maybe



Looks like Craig Bellamy could be crossing the border again, but not the Welsh/English, but the Scottish/English border too Celtic.

The rumour today is that Manchester City are open to talks with Celtic over a deal with the blessing of City boss Roberto Mancini. It looks like they are talking about a season long loan deal with Celtic paying a size able percentage of his £90,000-a-week wages.

Mancini is eager by all accounts to see Bellamy go north of the border then to a Premier league club where there is a chance he could back and haunt him. Bellamy would then be a free agent at the end of next season, but I think is days of such high wages would have gone then.

Any hope of him coming back to Cardiff where he spent last season on loan look dead in the water. The only hope for his return to the Cardiff City Stadium would be if Manchester City bosses paid up the final year of his contract and let him go. Mancini said,

"It is possible there have been conversations about Craig Bellamy between us and Celtic.

"I met Craig two days ago at Carrington. He told me something I want to keep to myself. What I said two days ago was that if Celtic want Craig, he is a good player, and I think he can go."

Eremenko on the radar

Cardiff City target Alexei Eremenko has confirmed Cardiff boss Malky Mackay is interested in signing him, but has a decision to make about his future.

The 28-year-old Finnish international midfield player has a number of clubs on both side of the border interested, but there is also a big money offer from Dubai. Along with Cardiff both Glasgow clubs Rangers and Celtic would like to sign him again rumour based and the newest club with a rumour link is new promoted Brighton.

Dubai club Al Ahli are keen revealed by Eremenko were he would receive tax-free wages something he needs to consider with a family to support. If it comes down to wages I can see Rangers of Celtic being in the mix Cardiff have already chase off Rangers in a deal for a players they both wanted.

“I know Brighton coach Gus Poyet is interested, while there has also been interest from Cardiff,” said Eremenko. “I don’t want to rush and regret my decision. We will see.”

He spent last season with in the SPL with Kilmarnock on loan from his Ukrainian club Metalist Kharkiv he is Russian born but moved to Finland as a youngest and has won 52 caps for Finland.

An old face linked with Cardiff

A Bluebird again?

Another day and another player linked to the Cardiff City revealed today as Newcastle United player Wayne Routledge. It could cost anyone £1.5m to sign him with our with a number teams also interested in the midfielder.

He must go down as one of the most linked player to the club. Nearly any transfer window his named pops up in one newspaper or another with some connection with Bluebirds. Once the rumour panned out and he joined Cardiff on loan from his then club Aston Villa on a two-month deal back in Nov 2008.

He was an instant hit with the fans and David Jones who set about trying to make the loan a permanent deal. Villa was happy to let him go and the two clubs struck a deal, but Routledge rejected it. He was recalled by Villa but instead of return to the Midlands he turn up in London put pen to paper with QPR on a deal. Have to wait and see if there is any truth in the story or a fishing trip by an agent.

Mackay said:

“We are still looking to bring more players in – and that work won’t stop while we are away.”

Joe Mason to his squad on the weekend fans a still waiting on the outcome of the free-agent Alexei Eremenko rumour. Cardiff and Dundee United have agreed a fee for striker David Goodwillie, but Cardiff are waiting to hear the outcome of a court case involving him. If nothing happens over the next few day the striker will be part of the squad for the Europa League qualifier away to Slask Wroclaw on Thursday night.

Gunnarsson linked to City

There is a new rumour splash on the back page of the local paper this morning linking Cardiff City with Coventry's Icelandic international midfielder Aron Gunnarsson the name in the mix.

His present club want to keep and have offered the out of contract player a new deal, but there are a number of offers from other club to think over. The story in the South Wales Echo has been generated from Gunnarsson's agent Jerry de Koning, who said,

"There are many clubs who want to sign Aron and Cardiff City are among the favourites.
"Nothing has been finalised yet, but a deal should be completed within the next 24 to 48 hours. The main factor to be finalised is a compensation payment to Coventry City.
"Cardiff City have a good chance of signing Aron."

If Cardiff were to be interested and were to win his signature, they would have to pay some compensation for the 22-year-old. He is a first team regular at Coventry more or less since he joined the club. Could it be the case of an agent touting is player around to drum up interest? Is time I doubt it the youngest has the ability and still time to develop another case of watch this space and see what happens next.

Offer for Whittingham

Cardiff City are to be tested on their willingness to keep Midfielder Peter Whittingham has Portsmouth are rumoured to be linked with a £1.5million bid to take him to the Cardiff Championship rivals.

Being coach and then boss at Watford City new man in the dugout Malky Mackay knows all about the ability of Whittingham and will have an idea if he fits into his style of play. The bid will more or likely to be turned down Mackay is looking to build a team not break one up and Cardiff don't need to sell he has two-years left on his present contract.

With ex-boss, Dave Jones a goner it will be time for the players left to empress the new boss and his new backroom staff when they have signed up. Two players who will be keen to show their metal for the new season will be Anthony Gerrard and Solomon Taiwo both loaned out by Jones for a season.

Gerrard was at Hull City and ended up voted players of the season by Hull fans after an impressive loan period. Chances were that Jones would have given Gerrard a chance this season his form at Hull surely deserved that. Taiwo went back to the club Cardiff paid £250,000 (with add-ons) for him Dagenham & Redbridge where he made a low-key return. Not many Cardiff fans would have expected Taiwo not to be released by Dave Jones if he was still with the club.

Will Taylor be the next signing

As well has the possible dealings with David Goodwillie Cardiff are also believed to be having ongoing talks with Middlesbrough defender Andrew Taylor.

With his contract with the Northeast club runs out in a matter of days and he does not look likely to sign the new one on offer from Middlesbrough. Manager Tony Mowbray looks resigned to losing Taylor who has been a target of the Cardiff boss Malky Mackay for a while now. Mowbray said:

"I'm pretty sure there will have been conversations between Andrew and Cardiff. I know Malky very, very well and I'm sure as soon as he got that job he was on the phone.

"The boy's got some decisions to make. But I think Cardiff are a different financial club to us, they could probably match if not better what we could offer financially."

He is rumoured to have come down to the area for talks and will also be talking with Bristol City while in the area they are also reported to have him in their sight. The defender has been on the radar of the new Cardiff boss Mackay since his time at Watford. Taylor spent the first half of last season on loan at Watford and Mackay wanted to make it a permanent deal, but the Watford board could not finance a deal and he returned to Middlesbrough. The fact that player and manager know one another so well could hopefully help the Bluebirds put off the deal.

Cardiff loosly linked to Ched Evans

Cardiff City have been linked with Welsh international and Sheffield United striker Ched Evans according to the Sheffield Star newspaper. If not the first time Cardiff City and the player have been linked together any time Cardiff are rumoured to be looking for striker, his name pops up.

He joined United for Manchester City in a £3m deal in July 2009 and as a year left on his contract. The paper believes Cardiff have yet to make any kind of contact regarding the player, but there is interest. Cardiff are in desperate need of strengthen there forward with only two strikers on the books at the moment, Jon Parkin and Nathaniel Jarvis. Jarvis is still to make his first team debut, but had a loan spell with Southend United playing six games.

Relegated Sheffield club want to off load Evans with the playing himself happy to make a quick return to the Championship. There are a number of clubs keep an eye on the situation Middlesbrough taking a keen interest in the striker.

Off the field the player hit the headlines a week or so ago when he was quizzed over an alleged sex attack and was released on police bail.

Another day and another player linked

Cardiff City boss Malky Mackey and Cardiff City is linked to Liverpool young defender Danny Wilson according to some press and internet outlets. He joined Liverpool from Rangers in a £2 million transfer and a three year contract with two years left. His old club Rangers would like to take him on a season long loan deal where he started his career having come through their youth system.

The 19-year-old joined Liverpool in July last year, but made no impact on the first team, but for his debut in the 3-1 defeat at West Ham and the only other game he featured in saw him come off the bench in another defeat 2-1 at West Brom. Like most players at the fringes of the first team, he made most of his appearances in Europe and Cup games. He played five Europa League games plus a Carling Cup fixture he also made his senior international debut.

That makes it for rumours since Mackey signed up as manager with no official comment and there is unlike to be. The City boss is still on holiday until the end of the week so has yet to take up residency at his office at the Vale training ground. This weekend and next week, hopefully we will see things heat up on the player's front, as the start of pre-season training is not to far-off.

Cardiff linked to Dundee United winger

Another player along with the ones already mention on this blog is being linked with Cardiff City he is Scottish international and Dundee United winger Craig Conway. Cardiff City manager Malky Mackey Cardiff has competition for his signature with SPL club Rangers reported to have already talked to Conway's agent. They are a host of Championship club who would also like to add him to their squads.

In fact, Cardiff City ex-boss Dave Jones was rumoured to be interested in signing him back in January. A suggested transfer fee of £200,000 plus add-ons, but it must have just been paper talk it was never followed up.

He is out of contract with his present club Dundee United so is available free so no transfer fee to pay. He could decide to stay in Scotland or cross the border and play Championship football, a league ten times more competitive than the SPL.

Cardiff linked with Arsenal player

What a day for a Cardiff City fan the day started with the fixtures and we kick off with an away to West Ham. Not long after the club announced the shirt sponsor for next season ‘Malaysia’ an hour later the home kit for next season was unveiled with a positive response from most of the fans. The day ended with the new manager being wheel out in front of the press and looking every much the part of manager.

We have our first player coming in rumour after weeks about players leaving the club, yes Cardiff City are back. The Arsenal website Young Guns are linking Emmanuel Frimpong with a loan deal with the Bluebirds. The young midfield has been out injury for almost a year after suffering critical knee ligament damage but is now looking forward to pre-season training. He has been working on his fitness since the end of the season and expects to be at peak fitness for pre-season.

He is unlikely to figure in the first-team or make the clubs squad 25 so a loan deal and the option of first team football Cardiff had another young Arsenal player Jay Emmanuel Thomas on a season loan last season. In addition, Aaron Ramsey had a short loan back at his old club. Division One club Charlton Athletic are also interested in the player according to the same report.

Speaking the 19-year-old said:

“It was a difficult season for me with the injury and the comeback, but I think I will need to look elsewhere if the current situation continues. There have been talks about Cardiff and Charlton Athletic, but I know I can be a regular for Arsenal if I stay clear of injury.

“If Mr Wenger comes to me this pre-season and says ‘Emmanuel I want to give you another opportunity’ then I have to show him I can do what I did this season, but if he doesn’t, then obviously my time at Arsenal doesn’t look good.”

Bothroyd linked with North East clubs

This morning some more transfer rumours it the Daily Mirror who over the last few have linked Cardiff City with Coventry striker Marlon King and Arsenal goalkeeper Vito Mannone.

Jay Bothroyd

Today's rumour surrounds Cardiff City striker Jay Bothroyd and Sunderland who along with Newcastle are reported to be keen to sign him. Newcastle manager Alan Pardew is in the market for a striker and has been link with the Cardiff player before and could be again with no transfer fee to pay.


The carrot to any interested a number of club is that Bothroyd is out of contract in the summer and he can walk away on a free transfer. He has stressed on humours occasions he is a Cardiff City player and will only look to his future at the end of the season.

For sure the Cardiff City boss Dave Jones would like him to stay and signed a new contract, but Cardiff would have to win promotion. Bothroyd wants to make the step up to the Premier League where he hopes to in hence his chances of another England recall.

From the article in the paper we would thing a deal was all sown up already. It is also reported that Sunderland boss Steve Bruce could pay Bothroyd around £30,000-a-week, way out of Cardiff reach without promotion. Time will tell, but both clubs can expect competition for his signature in the near future he will be a popular target for the rumour mill.

Mirror link

King again linked with Cardiff

Agent talk

Cardiff City has been linked to Coventry City striker Marlon King, and not for the first time. Back in Match it was highly rumoured he would be joining Cardiff and then Coventry confirmed the approach.

At the time Coventry found themselves with financial problems when the then chairman Ray Ranson stood down. They were considering parting company with the striker because of his wages, but they decided to keep him to help in the fight from relegation which was threatening them. He joined them on a one a year contract back in September.

He is a free agent in the summer and should find himself with a number of suitors for his signature. In today's Daily Mirror newspaper besides Cardiff he is also wanted by Leicester City. It just a rumour, but sounds very much like an agent on a fishing trip and testing the water for a summer move.

His stats at Coventry are Appearances: 27 – total goals: 12 – yellow cards: 1 – red cards: 2

Keinan to sign??

Cardiff City are rumoured to be close to signing Blackpool centre-half Dekel Keinan. Any deal is expected to be a permanent move for the Israeli international, he joined the Premiership club in the summer from Israeli club Maccabi Haifa in a £500,000 deal.

Until his move to Blackpool all his footballing career had been within Israeli football playing for Maccabi Haifa. He had two loan spells with Bnei Sakhnin and Maccabi Netanya.

During his stay so far with Blackpool he has made little impact he has made only three league starts plus a hand full off the bench, they were three other start in cup competitions the normal for a fringe player. The last competitive game was in the FA Cup against Southampton but the last League game was back in early November. He his reported to be one of the highest earners at Blackpool and manager Ian Holloway would be happy to see him go if he can recoup some of the £500,00 he paid out in the summer.

He was rumoured to be at the Vale training ground this morning and as completed a medical so we have to sit back and wait on the official word.

Scottish player linked with City

The shopping trip to Scotland last week could have paid off for Cardiff City manager Dave Jones with the rumour Dundee United player Craig Conway is to sign this week in a £200,000 deal plus add-ons deal.

The player has been out since October with a knee injury, only returning the first team football last week. He will be out of contract in the summer so Dundee United could be looking for a sale. The United boss would like to keep him but understands he will probably be offer better personal team if he was to move.

As for his on field position, on the official Dundee United website he is down as a midfield player. However, while looking around for some information on Conway I have seen him described as a winger, forward and a defensive midfielder.

He started his career at Ayr United part of there youth development making his in 2002-03. He when on to sign for Dundee United in June 2006 and received his international call up for Scotland’s friendly match against Japan in Yokohama, a match where he won his first cap for his country.

Blackpool defender on Jones wish list??

Another day and another rumour is time Cardiff City are being linked with Israeli international central defender Dekel Keinan who is with Blackpool. Both Cardiff and QPR are said to be interested in a loan deal with Blackpool’s manager Ian Holloway happy to loan him out or sell him.

If Blackpool were to sell him they would want to recoup the £500,000 they paid Maccabi Haifa in the summer for the player. He joined the Seasiders on a one year contract with an option on another year.

Cardiff boss Dave Jones interested or not, the player’s stats show he has played six league games (three off the bench) plus two starts in the Cup with three internationals is he better than what Jones has now. By all accounts Cardiff had him watched Saturday's in Blackpool’s FA Cup defeat at Southampton.

Blackpool is reported to be willing to take a offer of down-payment plus add-ons if it helps sweetens the deal along.

Chelsea in the chase for Bothyord.

All the news in the Sunday nationals is surrounding the Cardiff City striker Jay Bothroyd and the possibility of a transfer.

Clubs are lining up like a tail back on the M4 with the number of rumoured parties interested. Chelsea and West Ham are two that the forefront of the chatter today. With Bothroyd out of contract in the summer the papers are suggesting a fee of £2million could see City willing to release their star striker. It as to be said that if I was chairman I would sale any player who could walk for free come the summer if the price was right. If he is fit to play Tuesday there should be a good sprinkling of scouts about the Cardiff City Stadium.

Chelsea chairman Roman Abramovich is not putting his hand in his pockets to deeply these days but £2million would not to much strain on the Chelsea budget.

Cardiff boss Dave Jones wants to keep him believing Bothroyd could help in the push for promotion. The problem with that is that if Cardiff final, he will walk for sure and for free, good for him bad for Cardiff City.

Spurs defender linked with the Bluebirds

Cardiff City is being linked with ex-England and Tottenham defender Jonathan Woodgate according to the Sunday Star. The latest rumour is suggesting the Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is interested in finding a club for his defender to help with his return for a long-term injury.

Redknapp is hoping to find a club to help Woodgate to the next level on the road to prove he is fit enough for top-flight football and Cardiff could fit the bill.  Redknapp talking about Woodgate he said,

“Hopefully, in a couple of weeks, Jonathan will be able to play.

“If he had been out for the rest of the season, I don't know if he would have come back from that. At least he is back training, feels good and looks in good shape.

“This is make-or-break really for him, this period. He needs to get out there and show he is ready to get his career going again.”

The Spurs defender has only make three appearances since May last year and is regard to be injury prone with football circles. Even so if the Cardiff City boss Dave Jones was interested he will still find a host of club waiting in the wings to nab him on a loan deal. Papers are taking on interest from Wolves and West Ham ready in the queue.