Newly promoted Cardiff City are plotting an audacious treble summer spree of signings to completely revamp their strike force to ensure enough firepower to establish themselves in the Premier League.
Manager Malky Mackay has identified guaranteed goals as his transfer priority this window and is rigorously pursuing his two top targets…with a third that can exclusively be revealed by the Cutter today.
While the Bluebirds battle with fellow top flight new-boys Crystal Palace for Blackpool’s exciting winger Thomas Ince and are reportedly lining up a £3m bid for West Brom pariah Peter Odemwingie we understand the Welsh outfit have also joined the chase for Villa misfit Darren Bent, a move that would defiantly signal the club’s ambitious intent.
The 29 year old England hit man has an impressive proven record with 115 goals in 244 Premier League games but has fallen dramatically out of favour at Villa Park with boss Paul Lambert patently not rating his all-round attributes. Such is the slump in his stock that the claret and blues are prepared to take a huge hit on their initial £18m outlay meaning one of the best poachers around is available for a knockdown £6m for any potential suitors. While Newcastle have declared their interest they have since cooled after being put off by the player’s reluctance to lower his £65,000 a week wages. However Bent is determined to kickstart a stalled career and revive a flagging reputation and with Mackay presently tied up with securing an experienced centre back (believed to be the Magpie’s Mike Williamson) and the aforementioned duo he is content to play the waiting game.
Should no flurry of firm offers come Bent’s way the thinking is that the player will cede to a lowering of his pay demands to a bracket that accommodates both Cardiff and another interested party Fulham.
It is set to be an exciting year for supporters in South Wales and with the prospect of Odemwingie, young flyer Ince, and Bent joining the striking ranks alongside Bellamy and Campbell, it could yet be an ever more tantalising one.
“It is set to be an exciting year for supporters in South Wales and with the prospect of Odemwingie, young flyer Ince, and Bent joining the striking ranks alongside Bellamy and Campbell, it could yet be an ever more tantalising one.”
Have you not realised that Cardiff also have Nicky Maynard in their ranks? a player who has been successful at every club he has been at. He has been out for the majority of the season so now he will fly in this league in my opinion. Maynard is definitely one for my fantasy football team this year.
I don’t think Odemwingie will even fit into Malky’s mentality search on players. He wants people with no ego and Odemwingie has one of the biggest egos in the whole of the league and Bent isn’t too far off that either. Weimann from Villa and Dorrans from West Brom would be the better captures for the club.
Would that be the same Weimann whose just extended his contract at Villa?
Cardiff City aleady have two good strikers in Campbell and Maynard, plus Gestede in reserve. We need one more established striker with pPremeiship experience. There are better strikers out there, than these two.
I thought the winger that is on our radar is Kanu from Reading, rather than Ince, who is a bit expensive circa £8million.
I reckon Ince would be a great signing! I fear though that Palace will get him because of his connection with Ian Holloway. Darren Bent may not fit into Malky ‘THE MAN’ Mackay’s ethos only time will tell. Peter Odemwingie on the other hand is a quality player but I don’t think he would be a loyal squad member and I personally would not recommend him as a City target.