Malkey chasing loanee leon Barnett

Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay looking to sign loanee Leon Barnett from Norwich City

The centre back who impressed during his loan spell at Cardiff City could become Malky Mackay's first summer signing

Leon Barnett celebrates promotion on the Cardiff City Stadium pitch
Cardiff City are interested in bringing Leon Barnett back to the Welsh capital on a permanent deal.

As he prepares for the Premier League, manager Malky Mackay is hoping to make the 27-year-old his first signing of the summer.

The centre-half proved a big hit with the Bluebirds when he arrived on loan from Norwich at the end of last season and now has only a year left on his current contract with the Canaries.

Barnett joined the Bluebirds initially on a month’s loan back in March to act as cover for injured captain Mark Hudson.

He went on to make eight appearances and helped Cardiff keep five clean-sheets during that run.

Barnett was a big presence as the Bluebirds earned promotion at home to Charlton and then followed that up by seizing the title itself via a draw away at Burnley.

But that proved to be his last outing for Mackay as Norwich boss Chris Hughton recalled his defender from the loan spell.

But with just the 12 months left on his deal at Carrow Road, the Canaries might be ready to let Barnett make the permanent move to the Welsh capital.

Stevenage-born Barnett began his career as a trainee at Luton and eventually moved to West Brom. During his time with the Baggies he had a loan spell at Coventry, making 20 appearances for the Sky Blues in the 2009-10 season.

A loan spell at Norwich proved successful and he signed a permanent deal at the Norfolk club in January 2011.

His promotion to the Premier League with Cardiff was the third time he had achieved the feat having been part of the West Brom and Norwich sides which went up too.

He impressed many during his time at Cardiff, none more so than Mackay who is looking now to make him a Bluebirds player once more.

During Barnett’s loan spell last season, Mackay said of him: “Leon has been exceptional for us. He is a quality player, there is a calm air about him I love. He has bravery and coolness too.”

Did Leon receive a medal?

Did Leon receive a medal?

Don't think he did.....he got a f*cking fantastic pay cheque though.

Think we all thought this would happen and for all the right reasons. Leon fitted in immediately like he had been playing here all season. Impressive from the outset and I was gutted when he was recalled to Norwich. He was gutted too and the lad wants to be a Bluebird. 'Nuff Said. Make it so Malky.

Really hope he signs. Thought he was excellent

A very consistant player

We would've struggled without him IMO

Good job in the championship but you lot seem to forget we are no longer in the championship. He hasent cut it in the premiership with west brom or Norwich so that is worrying for me if we sign him. Need to aim higher imo

Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay looking to sign loanee Leon Barnett from Norwich City

The centre back who impressed during his loan spell at Cardiff City could become Malky Mackay's first summer signing

Leon Barnett celebrates promotion on the Cardiff City Stadium pitch
Cardiff City are interested in bringing Leon Barnett back to the Welsh capital on a permanent deal.

As he prepares for the Premier League, manager Malky Mackay is hoping to make the 27-year-old his first signing of the summer.

The centre-half proved a big hit with the Bluebirds when he arrived on loan from Norwich at the end of last season and now has only a year left on his current contract with the Canaries.

Barnett joined the Bluebirds initially on a month’s loan back in March to act as cover for injured captain Mark Hudson.

He went on to make eight appearances and helped Cardiff keep five clean-sheets during that run.

Barnett was a big presence as the Bluebirds earned promotion at home to Charlton and then followed that up by seizing the title itself via a draw away at Burnley.

But that proved to be his last outing for Mackay as Norwich boss Chris Hughton recalled his defender from the loan spell.

But with just the 12 months left on his deal at Carrow Road, the Canaries might be ready to let Barnett make the permanent move to the Welsh capital.

Stevenage-born Barnett began his career as a trainee at Luton and eventually moved to West Brom. During his time with the Baggies he had a loan spell at Coventry, making 20 appearances for the Sky Blues in the 2009-10 season.

A loan spell at Norwich proved successful and he signed a permanent deal at the Norfolk club in January 2011.

His promotion to the Premier League with Cardiff was the third time he had achieved the feat having been part of the West Brom and Norwich sides which went up too.

He impressed many during his time at Cardiff, none more so than Mackay who is looking now to make him a Bluebirds player once more.

During Barnett’s loan spell last season, Mackay said of him: “Leon has been exceptional for us. He is a quality player, there is a calm air about him I love. He has bravery and coolness too.”

Go and get him Malky, very immpressive, gutted for him and us when he had to go back and miss out on the cellebrations

Good job in the championship but you lot seem to forget we are no longer in the championship. He hasent cut it in the premiership with west brom or Norwich so that is worrying for me if we sign him. Need to aim higher imo

Barnett may well not be first choice necessarily,Norwich dont want him so wed be looking at a small fee and wages. If malky brings in a first choice CB to partner huds then leon would be a much better back up option than nugent(no disrespect). I actually think barnett is a better defender than turner and matt connolly
Seems a pretty easy decision to sign him

Good job in the championship but you lot seem to forget we are no longer in the championship. He hasent cut it in the premiership with west brom or Norwich so that is worrying for me if we sign him. Need to aim higher imo

Barnett may well not be first choice necessarily,Norwich dont want him so wed be looking at a small fee and wages. If malky brings in a first choice CB to partner huds then leon would be a much better back up option than nugent(no disrespect). I actually think barnett is a better defender than turner and matt connolly
Seems a pretty easy decision to sign him

Yeh fair point I would take him as a squad player as back up but we need a quality cb to partner Hudson

I don't think I've ever seen a loan player jump straight into the squad and actually fit in like Leon did.

Would love to see him back at City next season.

Defence is an unfashionable position but I'd say his loan was one of the most important since Henrick Larsson joined Man Utd

i dont think he's good enough for the premiership. good in the air but looked nervous on the ball when he played for us...

i dont think he's good enough for the premiership. good in the air but looked nervous on the ball when he played for us...

We're up shits creak then, because for me he pisses Hudson and Turner.

He'll never catch him

1Leon-Barnett-4013624.jpg

Best loan signing of recent years.
Sorry to post another promotion night pic but how many loan signings get this kind of appreciation?

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Good signing at the time to get us through a tight spot nowhere near good enough for prem, we're in deep shit if this is the type of player Malky is targeting

Hope we get him, played a huge part in our promotion push at the end of the season and I think he'd do alright for us in the Prem

Connolly played out of position all season and done fantastic.

Also we have agreed to sign Barnett, should be done when he comes back from his break.

Would like to see Barnett alongside Hudson

Would like to see Barnett alongside Hudson

yeah. in the championship