' Southampton out bid Cardiff City/Malky's target '

Cardiff City set to lose out on Celtic FC star Victor Wanyama as Southampton look to match £10m asking price


Cardiff City appear to have opted against a swoop for the Kenyan midfielder after Celtic slapped a £10m price tag on Malky Mackay's target


Cardiff City look to have lost out on a surprise deal to land Victor Wanyama – with Southampton set to win a £10m race for the Celtic star.

Bluebirds boss Malky Mackay was known to be an admirer of the 21-year-old Kenya ace whose performances at the Scottish giants has seen a raft of clubs keeping tabs on the midfield talent.

And it is thought Cardiff were weighing up a shock move for the highly-rated Bhoy as they look to bolster their squad ready for their historic Premier League bow.

But with Celtic wanting £10m for one of the heroes of their recent Champions League run it looks as though Cardiff have opted against a swoop – allowing Southampton to race ahead with a deal.

Celtic are loathe to let Wanyama go but know at those figures they may need to cash-in on a player with two years left on his Parkhead contract.

Mackay has been told he has money to spend this summer as he looks to ready his squad for a first Premier campaign, one that will kick off against West Ham on August 17.

But it is doubtful he would feel he would be ready to use such a large chunk on one player, especially when it’s considered other areas will need reinforcing first.

Cardiff have been strongly linked with a move for Lyon striker Bafetimbi Gomis, but looks likely to miss out on the France international with big-spending Monaco ready to rival Swansea City in an £8m deal for the 27-year-old.

And it remains to be seen whether Mackay will feel prepared to match the £8m price tag slapped on Tom Ince by Blackpool.

Cardiff are keen on the wideman – one of the stand-out players in the Championship last term – but could see Liverpool land the 21-year-old for a cheaper fee as a result of a contract clause as part of his original move from Anfield to Blackpool.

Mackay, though, is ready to be patient as he plots his squad building ahead of the big kick-off in eight weeks’ time.

Southampton appear to be close to pulling off a real coup – the signing of Victor Wanyama from Celtic for just 12.5 million pounds.

The back page of Scotland on Sunday says Wanyama spent Saturday in talks with Southampton on what would be a record fee secured by a Scottish club.

Wanyama, just 21, had an outstanding season for Celtic as they secured the Scottish league and cup double.

The Kenyan midfielder had been linked with a host of England’s biggest clubs including Arsenal and Manchester United.

With Celtic having secured Wanyama from Beerschot in Belgium for just 900,000 pounds, this transfer will see the SPL champions make a significant profit on the midfield enforcer.

Southampton meanwhile will likely be confident of profiting from Wanyama who at just 21 has many years of high class football ahead of him.

Alongside Morgan Schneiderlin, Mauricio Pochettino could have at his disposal two young, dynamic and hard working midfielders to protect the Southampton defence next season.

12.5 million doesn't sound like a "real coup". Seems like they're paying just over the asking price.

12.5 million doesn't sound like a "real coup". Seems like they're paying just over the asking price.

Not worth £12.5M ( IMO ) - Would take up half of Tan's £25M budget

http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/ ... -1-2973893?

we need to be finding these types at the same level celtic did, ie a million pounds, not 12.

£12m for him is very risky though, You can pick up a class player for that money. I'd be happy if we can get him slightly cheaper