Who Has More Power In The Transfer Market?

Analysis: Who has the more power in the transfer market? Cardiff City or Swansea City?

Lyon striker Bafetimbi Gomis
By Gareth Rogers | 18 Jun 2013 17:52
Reports that Swansea City are “winning the race” to sign France striker Bafetimbi Gomis will leave a sour taste in the mouth of Cardiff City supporters.

Whatever the truth of those stories, Bluebirds boss Malky Mackay has been linked with the fiery 27-year-old almost from the moment this summer’s rumour mill first ground into action.

Indeed, as that rumour mill has stepped up in pace, it is the name of Gomis that has really set City pulses racing.

Dubbed ‘Baby Drogba’ for his explosive style of play, the Lyon frontman has been coveted by a host of clubs around Europe.

All of them were alerted by his 20-goal haul from 40 games last season which helped Lyon secure third place in Ligue 1 behind Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille and a Champions League qualifying round spot.

We are, after all, talking about a player with realistic hopes of leading the line for France in next summer’s World Cup in Brazil.

So to contemplate Gomis by-passing the capital on his way down the M4 to join Swansea is enough to bring up old South Wales derby hostilities before a ball has even been kicked in anger.

Gomis has already been seen by many Cardiff supporters as a sign, a symbol, a litmus test, of the ambition Cardiff have as they approach their first top-flight campaign in more than half a century.

If one of Europe’s hottest striking talents could be tempted, then who else might follow? And just what might be the scope of the club’s ambitions moving forward with such a player on board?

Signing Gomis would be seen as a declaration of intent by Cardiff... but perhaps losing out to the Swans would be a reality check which would benefit everyone.

However unpalatable it may be to accept from a Bluebirds’ perspective it is their neighbours who hold all the trump cards in the transfer market right now, irrespective of the uncertainty surrounding Michael Laudrup’s Liberty Stadium future.

Two seasons in the Premier League, Wembley winners in the Capital One Cup and now European football makes Swansea an attractive destination for players.



It was not supposed to be that way of course, it was always Cardiff who were expected to be the first Welsh club to make the top flight.

After all, it was Cardiff who were constantly knocking on the Premier League door.

But it was Swansea, under then-boss Brendan Rodgers, who made the step-up via the Championship play-off final in 2011.

To say they have stolen a march over Cardiff since then would be an understatement.

The Swans have excelled in the top flight, favourites for the drop like most newly-promoted clubs they have finished 11th and ninth without ever being involved in relegation battles.

Despite Rodgers’ departure to Liverpool in 2012, the transition has been seamless with Laudrup building on firm Liberty foundations.

Take off your blue or red-tinted spectacles and put yourself in Gomis’ situation, or any top European player with aspirations of playing in the Premier League.

A club with two years of Premier League pedigree and the prospect of European football or a newcomer, untested in the top flight and whose ambitions are mere survival? It is not really too difficult.

Of course, money talks too in the Premier League – very loudly – and the Bluebirds have an ace in the pack in the shape of Malaysian backer Vincent Tan.

The billionaire businessman is extremely unpredictable and very hard to read, but he has spoken of a £25m summer war chest at Mackay’s disposal.

Tan admits he has been bitten by the football bug, so might there be even more cash available for the canny Scot? Perhaps.

But is that even the best way for Cardiff to go about things as they welcome in a bright new dawn?

Tan does not have to avert his gaze far to see that spending big is not always the answer.

Queens Park Rangers Tony Fernandes, a fellow Malaysian, lavished millions on the West London club but it just ended with relegation and having to manage a huge wage bill in the Championship.

Already Tan has spoken of his admiration of the Swansea way conduct their business and there is much to be said for the way they have gone about the last two years.

If Cardiff this summer cannot match up to where Swansea stand right now, they can more than equal where their arch-rivals were this time two years ago.

Swansea’s assimilation into the Premier League was painless, the first thing working in their favour was the fact that a core of players who had seen them up from the Championship handled the step with aplomb.

Ashley Williams, Neil Taylor, Angel Rangel and Leon Britton all took to the Premier League like naturals.

The Bluebirds will be hoping that their Championship heroes respond very much in the same manner.

In truth, Mackay’s side is better placed with the likes of Aron Gunnarsson, Jordon Mutch and Kim Bo-kyung arguably better suited to thrive at a higher level than their Swans counterparts were.



Additions will be needed, of course, and Mackay must be hoping for the same kind of success that Swansea experienced as they prepare to take the same step.

“We are very focused on what we are doing and what we do know is that is going to take time,” Mackay said of his transfer plans recently.

“That’s the way it was last summer and the summer before that.

“This is my third summer transfer window at the club so I know it’s going to take time – but I have every faith in the recruitment department right now.

“Obviously I think people are taking more of an interest in us because we are in the Premier League now...but we go about our business calm and methodically as we always do.”

Mackay will be thrilled if his own forays into the transfer market provide as much return for as little outlay as Swansea’s have done in recent times.

He may be losing out on a major transfer target to his local rivals – “noisy neighbours” one former Premier League manager might say – but that is only to be expected in football terms right now.

The trick is to make sure that it doesn’t happen for too long.

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I think we do, money talks and we can offer better finances.

Some players will move for Laudrup or to be put in shop windows in the European cup tho.

I think we do, money talks and we can offer better finances.

Some players will move for Laudrup or to be put in shop windows in the European cup tho.

Laudrup yes, Europe? ffs it may only be couple of games?

I think we do, money talks and we can offer better finances.

Some players will move for Laudrup or to be put in shop windows in the European cup tho.

Laudrup yes, Europe? ffs it may only be couple of games?

Then again it may be a lot of games, swansea will not be a walk over for any team in the europa league, and i bet your glad cardiff aint in europe because your so negative or is that because its swansea thats in europe and not cardiff.

I think we do, money talks and we can offer better finances.

Some players will move for Laudrup or to be put in shop windows in the European cup tho.

Laudrup yes, Europe? ffs it may only be couple of games?

Its a nothing cup but players looking to push into international squads will consider it a bonus.

I think we do, money talks and we can offer better finances.

Some players will move for Laudrup or to be put in shop windows in the European cup tho.

Laudrup yes, Europe? ffs it may only be couple of games?

Its a nothing cup but players looking to push into international squads will consider it a bonus.

Is it a nothing cup cos cardiff aint in it.................................

I think we do, money talks and we can offer better finances.

Some players will move for Laudrup or to be put in shop windows in the European cup tho.

Laudrup yes, Europe? ffs it may only be couple of games?

Like the carling cup when we were in the final

Its a nothing cup but players looking to push into international squads will consider it a bonus.

Is it a nothing cup cos cardiff aint in it.................................

Jacks have a better pull IMO

I think we do, money talks and we can offer better finances.

Some players will move for Laudrup or to be put in shop windows in the European cup tho.

Stay Up this first year, and we will look the better option long term IMO

I think we do, money talks and we can offer better finances.

Some players will move for Laudrup or to be put in shop windows in the European cup tho.

Stay Up this first year, and we will look the better option long term IMO

in what way

I think we do, money talks and we can offer better finances.

Some players will move for Laudrup or to be put in shop windows in the European cup tho.

Laudrup yes, Europe? ffs it may only be couple of games?

Then again it may be a lot of games, swansea will not be a walk over for any team in the europa league, and i bet your glad cardiff aint in europe because your so negative or is that because its swansea thats in europe and not cardiff.

To be honest couldn't give a fck! just made the point Laudrup is more of a reason to join you than Europe is, and didn't say they would be walk over just said maybe last only a couple of games? So read and inwardly digest my post before commenting wrongly on it.
Conversation terminated
Oh and its euefa cup! ffs can't get anything right can you?

If your a spanish dutch french player where would you rather go cardiff city or swansea city, for me the answer without doubt is swansea city fc.

I think we do, money talks and we can offer better finances.

Some players will move for Laudrup or to be put in shop windows in the European cup tho.

Stay Up this first year, and we will look the better option long term IMO

in what way

every way

I think we do, money talks and we can offer better finances.

Some players will move for Laudrup or to be put in shop windows in the European cup tho.

Laudrup yes, Europe? ffs it may only be couple of games?

Then again it may be a lot of games, swansea will not be a walk over for any team in the europa league, and i bet your glad cardiff aint in europe because your so negative or is that because its swansea thats in europe and not cardiff.

To be honest couldn't give a fck! just made the point Laudrup is more of a reason to join you than Europe is, and didn't say they would be walk over just said maybe last only a couple of games? So read and inwardly digest my post before commenting wrongly on it.
Conversation terminated
Oh and its euefa cup! ffs can't get anything right can you?

NO ITS THE EUROPA LEAGUE YOU MONG NOT THE EUEFA CUP AS YOU CALL IT

I think we do, money talks and we can offer better finances.

Some players will move for Laudrup or to be put in shop windows in the European cup tho.

Stay Up this first year, and we will look the better option long term IMO

in what way

every way

I think we do, money talks and we can offer better finances.

Some players will move for Laudrup or to be put in shop windows in the European cup tho.

Stay Up this first year, and we will look the better option long term IMO

in what way

every way

you are the one on a cardiff forum asking a cardiff fan...

everything about us is better than you, all you had was the premier league, we ave evened that out, spend a few quid and we are back on par..and that is when we will be able to put the boot in yet again..

I think we do, money talks and we can offer better finances.

Some players will move for Laudrup or to be put in shop windows in the European cup tho.

Stay Up this first year, and we will look the better option long term IMO

in what way

every way

you are the one on a cardiff forum asking a cardiff fan...

everything about us is better than you, all you had was the premier league, we ave evened that out, spend a few quid and we are back on par..and that is when we will be able to put the boot in yet again..

I dont think so, everything about cardiff city fc i better than swansea city fc, i'll say good night and leave you with the phrase RE-BRAND.

At the end of the day money and location talks.

Look at qpr, they got the players, just a shame they had an awful manager.

I dont think so, everything about cardiff city fc i better than swansea city fc, i'll say good night and leave you with the phrase RE-BRAND.

like i said you populus tremuloides wait a year and we will see..natural order will resume

I dont think so, everything about cardiff city fc i better than swansea city fc, i'll say good night and leave you with the phrase RE-BRAND.

like i said you populus tremuloides wait a year and we will see..natural order will resume

I think he realised he lost the argument.
Brining up last years rebound when talking about another topic

I dont think so, everything about cardiff city fc i better than swansea city fc, i'll say good night and leave you with the phrase RE-BRAND.

like i said you populus tremuloides wait a year and we will see..natural order will resume

I think he realised he lost the argument.
Brining up last years rebound when talking about another topic

Always a sign someone is losing an argument when they have to resort to that tactic hey!!

He asked me what was better, i told him in my opinion everything, as i strongly believe that if we stay up this year (im confident of 12-15th) then we can attract a better quality of player the following year based on the fact we will be making advances on a quality training facility, have a good academy, good manager, will be expanding the stadium and cardiff is a better place than swansea to live, added to the fact we will have bigger spending power than them...

so yeah pretty much by the end of the summer we wont be too far off them player quality wise, and will charge on the following year (give em this year as they have got the PL experience we need time to adjust..)

Back in our shadow where they belong.

Mate if anyone knows how quickly things can change it should be the jacks.

I dont think so, everything about cardiff city fc i better than swansea city fc, i'll say good night and leave you with the phrase RE-BRAND.

like i said you populus tremuloides wait a year and we will see..natural order will resume

I think he realised he lost the argument.
Brining up last years rebound when talking about another topic

Always a sign someone is losing an argument when they have to resort to that tactic hey!!

He asked me what was better, i told him in my opinion everything, as i strongly believe that if we stay up this year (im confident of 12-15th) then we can attract a better quality of player the following year based on the fact we will be making advances on a quality training facility, have a good academy, good manager, will be expanding the stadium and cardiff is a better place than swansea to live, added to the fact we will have bigger spending power than them...

so yeah pretty much by the end of the summer we wont be too far off them player quality wise, and will charge on the following year (give em this year as they have got the PL experience we need time to adjust..)

Back in our shadow where they belong.

You need to have a word with yourself, go and have a look at swansea's new trainging facilitys, also the liberty is getting expanded, you say you have a good manager not as good as laudrup tho, and cardiff a better place to live what a joke have you ever been down the mumbles or gower by far better than anything cardiff has on offer.

I dont think so, everything about cardiff city fc i better than swansea city fc, i'll say good night and leave you with the phrase RE-BRAND.

like i said you populus tremuloides wait a year and we will see..natural order will resume

I think he realised he lost the argument.
Brining up last years rebound when talking about another topic

Always a sign someone is losing an argument when they have to resort to that tactic hey!!

He asked me what was better, i told him in my opinion everything, as i strongly believe that if we stay up this year (im confident of 12-15th) then we can attract a better quality of player the following year based on the fact we will be making advances on a quality training facility, have a good academy, good manager, will be expanding the stadium and cardiff is a better place than swansea to live, added to the fact we will have bigger spending power than them...

so yeah pretty much by the end of the summer we wont be too far off them player quality wise, and will charge on the following year (give em this year as they have got the PL experience we need time to adjust..)

Back in our shadow where they belong.

You need to have a word with yourself, go and have a look at swansea's new trainging facilitys, also the liberty is getting expanded, you say you have a good manager not as good as laudrup tho, and cardiff a better place to live what a joke have you ever been down the mumbles or gower by far better than anything cardiff has on offer.

You've missed out the obvious reasons why Cardiff are more powerful in the transfer market!

Yes, you've got European football to offer some players, although most players aren't really bothered about having to play on Thursdays & Sundays all the time and if you think players are going to sign for Swansea merely to see the Mumbles or the Gower, you need to have a look at yourself, although I don't think you'll like what you see!

The new and improving training facilities at Cardiff, along with our expanded Academy set up will be a big draw to more players than Swansea's, but when it comes down to financial clout and bigger potential, that's where the difference stands out!

There's another reason why Cardiff is a bigger attraction ATM as well and that's down to the very public unrest and uncertainty over your manager's future!

You need to get in a lot of players for the upcoming season, in order to be able to compete in the league and in Europe. Some players will realise that it's going to be difficult to be able to sustain the energy levels required to do both and maintain your league status, especially when you look how Newcastle (who are a.far bigger club than both of us), struggled last season and how Birmingham struggled before them!

You've already lost out on a couple of players at least according to the media, which has led to the public rift between Laudrup and or his agent & Huw. Until that rift is deemed to be mended, I suspect you're going to lose out on other signings as well!

With regard to your stadium expansion, I would say that as we've now got Premier League status as well, you are probably a couple of seasons too late with the plans. Many fans signed up to watch Swansea in the PL, who are now able to get that at Cardiff instead and this will clearly impact on your fan base as well!

The Mumbles ffs. The Mumbles

The f*cking Mumbles.