Would Capoue consider a move to Cardiff?

Malky Mackay is currently mulling over making a bid for a player described as “one of the most talented youngsters in French football”.

But having missed out on Victor Wanyama, are Cardiff City right to turn to French midfielder Etienne Capoue for £9.5m?

And how could they convince the Toulouse man being courted by European heavyweights like Arsenal, Tottenham, Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain that a move to Cardiff would be the right one?

Firstly, let’s look at the sort of player Mackay was looking for when he bid £10m for Kenyan Wanyama, the Celtic star who eventually joined Premier League rivals Southampton.

Both defensive midfielders stand at 6ft 2ins and weigh in over 12 stone and, like Wanyama, Capoue has physical presence.

He is certainly not scared to put a foot in having committed 61 fouls and picked up seven yellow cards and one red for Toulouse last season.

But he also chipped in with seven league goals in 38 games, the sort of dividend that would excite Mackay, and is said to be keen on a move.

City chiefs say they have been quoted a figure of £9.5m for the Niort product and Mackay is believed to be in the process of convincing Vincent Tan to come up with the fee and a reported £65,000 weekly wage.

Capoue’s representative, Mino Raiola, is intent on brokering a summer deal after his in-demand client missed out on a move to north London giants Arsenal and Spurs in January.

But it seems as if Toulouse president Olivier Sadran and manager Alain Casanova are both resigned to letting the player go as they focus on keeping star centre-forward Wissam Ben Yedder.

Casanova admitted: “If he does leave, we would wish him good luck after everything he has given us.

Sadran added: “He will leave if a club makes us a good proposition” – but he insisted nothing concrete has come in so far.

Reports in Spain, however, claim Capoue is in “advanced discussions” with Champions League-bound Atletico Madrid and, with French sports website Topmecardo claiming he’s not interested in a move to Wales, Macaky’s latest move might seem unlikely to come off right now.

Atletico finished third in the Primera League behind Barcelona and city rivals Real are keen on the starlet, who has made no secret of his desire to play in the Champions League.

But whether he could cement a regular starting spot among the likes of Gabi, Mario Mata and Tiago Mendes remains an obvious sticking point.

And this is where Mackay could play his trump card – offering regular Premier League football in the season leading up to the 2014 World Cup.

Even though Capoue would like a shot at the Champions League, to realise his dream of forcing his way into Didier Deschamps’ France plans next summer, he needs to play a lot of football in the next year.

Capoue has found himself on the fringes in the current qualifying campaign as Les Bleus looks set for a play-off berth behind Spain in Group I.

He played alongside the likes of Bacary Sagna, Olivier Giroud and Youann Gorcuff when he started for France in their 1-0 defeat to Uruguay in Montevideo on June 5.

But he was replaced by St Etienne’s Josuha Guilavogui shortly after Luis Suarez’s decisive goal.

And if he is to keep Guilavogui, Yohan Cabaye and Moussa Sissoko out of the French midfield, Capoue admits he needs to be playing at a higher level.

Talking to L’Equipe last season, the man born in wine country on France’s west coast cited former team-mate Daniel Congre, who left Toulouse for Montpellier, as an example of when to leave.

“I want to play in Champions League, to face the best teams in the continent,” said the 25-year-old.

“Toulouse cannot offer me that this season.

“We missed Europe at the end of the Championnat. Yes, I want to leave.

“It’s not that I’m not happy at Toulouse, but I want to move on to progress, pass a course and integrate as quickly as possible in the France team.”

In this case, whether City can match his long-term ambition is unlikely, but what they can offer him is guaranteed first-team football and a place in the shop window of Europe’s most watched league.

Even if Cardiff is merely a stepping stone for the sought-after star, Mackay must pull out all the stops and persuade Tan to come up with the cash after missing out on Wanyama.

The pressure is certainly on Mackay to bolster his squad after missing out on Wanyama and England Under-21 winger Tom Ince, who chose to stay in the Championship at Blackpool rather than take the Premier League plunge at Cardiff.

The Bluebirds were also in for Newcastle target Bafetimbi Gomis before he politely declined the move from Lyon.

Being ambitious is all well and good, but City had only made one summer signing (Andreas Cornelius) when they kicked off their pre-season programme at Forest Green on Wednesday night.

Fellow new boys Crystal Palace and Hull have signed six or seven players each, the likes of Norwich, Sunderland and Swansea have also significantly strengthened.

Mackay has urged patience and that the signings will come – but have the known targets to date been a touch ambitious?

Are players with genuine aspirations of playing in the 2014 World Cup and those targeted by bigger and wealthier clubs across the continent really going to join a club set to embark on its first season in England’s top flight for 51 years?

What we do know from those areas that Mackay has identified for team strengthening is the Scot seems intent on adding a destructive defensive midfielder and a flying winger to his squad.

But what about the defence?

Converted centre-back Matt Connolly and stalwart Kevin McNaughton are the two-right backs, while Andrew Taylor and converted midfielder Simon Lappin are the left-backs.

Centre-halves Mark Hudson, Ben Turner and Ben Nugent, while all excellent last season, might find their pace – or perhaps the lack of it – severely tested in a Premier League environment.

By contrast, Mackay’s midfield pickings are rich with the likes of Kim Bo-Kyung, Jordon Mutch, Peter Whittingham and Aron Gunnarsson all battling for the three spots in a favoured five-man midfield, with Craig Bellamy and Craig Noone the favourites to start out wide.

But if Mackay decided to play record signing Cornuelus up front with either Nicky Maynard or Fraizer Campbell, then that three-man midfield would be reduced to two.

So the clock continues to tick down – now 22 days before the big opener at West Ham – and still more questions than answers remain.

If he wants Champions League football then no

Doubt it, but you never know ?

If he wants Champions League football then no

I've no way of knowing how accurate they are, but just supposing the figures quoted in the media yesterday for Capoue's wages are right (i.e. £17,000 a week at Toulouse and a possible £65,000 a week at Cardiff), then I'd say there has to be a chance that the answer would be yes.

If he wants Champions League football then no

I've no way of knowing how accurate they are, but just supposing the figures quoted in the media yesterday for Capoue's wages are right (i.e. £17,000 a week at Toulouse and a possible £65,000 a week at Cardiff), then I'd say there has to be a chance that the answer would be yes.

True money talks, I'll be stunned if we start paying that amount on wages though

Bit out of date that article as VT has already authorised a bid and it has been accepted, I don't think the wages quoted are correct though

I think he'll use us as a last resort, I dont mind that tbh, I won't take it personally!

Could be a deadline day deal if nobody else moves for him.

No, if he's linked to the likes of Atl Madrid, tottenham etc why would he come here. He's going to look at the team and think, thanks but no thanks

bit ambitious by the sounds of it, you have to be in it to win it though eh?
If he is champions league quality then he will play there. Im sure MM has many targets starting high as this....

The only plus points are if these other clubs are ooing and aaahing about signing him and are
reluctant to part with the dish, then chances are he will not be a first choice player. he most
definitely will be one of our main players and as has been stated, the Premiership exposure
will do him nothing but good. I dont see him coming here but applaud the Club for not just
saying OH We're Better Off Just Signing Lesser Players Who Will Come Here. Because in those
tactics lies the road to relegation

One positive point is MM has money to spend and seems happy to go for these 'difficult to get targets'

The obvious problem is we are highlighting the availability of these players to other clubs, I wonder if we will be some large bids on deadline day when other clubs have no room to manovere?

One positive point is MM has money to spend and seems happy to go for these 'difficult to get targets'

The obvious problem is we are highlighting the availability of these players to other clubs, I wonder if we will be some large bids on deadline day when other clubs have no room to manovere?

To be fair, we're not are we. Its the other Clubs themselves

No, his ambition far outweighs what we can offer at the moment

I think this is a serious no go. Tolouse twitter page states he does not want to speak to cardiff as he's holding out for a bigger club. This is fair enough, if the player thinks he's top quality he has every right to try and get a big club

If he wants Champions League football then no

I've no way of knowing how accurate they are, but just supposing the figures quoted in the media yesterday for Capoue's wages are right (i.e. £17,000 a week at Toulouse and a possible £65,000 a week at Cardiff), then I'd say there has to be a chance that the answer would be yes.

True money talks, I'll be stunned if we start paying that amount on wages though

Where now premier league.
If we want to attract class players to Cardiff City this is the sort of wage we'll have to pay.

No.

just found this on http://www.alleztfc.com/actu/mercato-ca ... 22158.html


A few days ago you may have read on AllezTFC.Com (see below) that Cardiff had made ​​an offer for Etienne Capua, accepted by the TFC. It would be a motant 10 million plus 2 million bonus. Since then, things have changed since the international Toulouse will, according to the team, meet some of the Welsh coaching staff in the day.

His agent, Mino Raiola, has also initiated discussions with the club promoted to the Premier League and a very substantial salary was offered to tempt Capua to sign Cardiff.

One positive point is MM has money to spend and seems happy to go for these 'difficult to get targets'

Is it a positive though? No positives in chasing players you aren't going to get. I feel we are setting our sights too high with one or two players & it's hurting us.

Cant see that salary happpening - or him coming - Champions league beckon ............

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ixw3jno6GL4

48 seconds in

Certainly believes in bossing a midfield this lad

Wants a bigger club than us, offering CL football.

well whatever we are getting some decent exposure, only the ince deal was a bit of a negative and that might reflect more on him 2bh. First season attracting top players will always be hard.....

how reliable the star is who knows.

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/footba ... nne-Capoue

They seem to think it is a done deal.

Its a very difficult job for Malky. Many pundits see us as relegation fodder, its an easy call.
But for those closest to the Club there is an almost irrepressible feeling of optimism, drive
and ambition. One way or another Cardiff City will sign players good enough to make a
proper fist of it in this division. Vincent Tan has no intention of owning A Premiership Club.
He wants to be at the head of a TOP Premiership Club. Malky Mackay is the perfect foil for
him. Young, ambitious, intelligent and he instills that same focus and drive into all his
players. The jacks are noticeable by their absence on messageboards these last few days.
The ones that post on here regularly are pretty obsessed by us. They wont admit it, but the
deal to rid the Club of the debt - and the by now obvious plan to change debt to equity has
elevated Cardiff City from a Club under a cloud into one with a bright future. Capoue may
or may not come here, but Cardiff Citys intentions are clear if we dont get him, the Jacks
can have a good old giggle, same as about Ince. But deep down they know full well that
our sights are set higher than theirs now. By hook or by crook, come the opening fixtures,
Cardiff City will have the look of a side who are not in the Premiership to make up the
numbers. Add to that, Vincent Tan is not the kind of man to spunk money without regard
for the stability of the Club. 42,000 seater stadium, a Club on the up and up. The future is
bright. Relegation? We will be aiming for top half

Its a very difficult job for Malky. Many pundits see us as relegation fodder, its an easy call.
But for those closest to the Club there is an almost irrepressible feeling of optimism, drive
and ambition. One way or another Cardiff City will sign players good enough to make a
proper fist of it in this division. Vincent Tan has no intention of owning A Premiership Club.
He wants to be at the head of a TOP Premiership Club. Malky Mackay is the perfect foil for
him. Young, ambitious, intelligent and he instills that same focus and drive into all his
players. The jacks are noticeable by their absence on messageboards these last few days.
The ones that post on here regularly are pretty obsessed by us. They wont admit it, but the
deal to rid the Club of the debt - and the by now obvious plan to change debt to equity has
elevated Cardiff City from a Club under a cloud into one with a bright future. Capoue may
or may not come here, but Cardiff Citys intentions are clear if we dont get him, the Jacks
can have a good old giggle, same as about Ince. But deep down they know full well that
our sights are set higher than theirs now. By hook or by crook, come the opening fixtures,
Cardiff City will have the look of a side who are not in the Premiership to make up the
numbers. Add to that, Vincent Tan is not the kind of man to spunk money without regard
for the stability of the Club. 42,000 seater stadium, a Club on the up and up. The future is
bright. Relegation? We will be aiming for top half

Cracking post mate

Its a very difficult job for Malky. Many pundits see us as relegation fodder, its an easy call.
But for those closest to the Club there is an almost irrepressible feeling of optimism, drive
and ambition. One way or another Cardiff City will sign players good enough to make a
proper fist of it in this division. Vincent Tan has no intention of owning A Premiership Club.
He wants to be at the head of a TOP Premiership Club. Malky Mackay is the perfect foil for
him. Young, ambitious, intelligent and he instills that same focus and drive into all his
players. The jacks are noticeable by their absence on messageboards these last few days.
The ones that post on here regularly are pretty obsessed by us. They wont admit it, but the
deal to rid the Club of the debt - and the by now obvious plan to change debt to equity has
elevated Cardiff City from a Club under a cloud into one with a bright future. Capoue may
or may not come here, but Cardiff Citys intentions are clear if we dont get him, the Jacks
can have a good old giggle, same as about Ince. But deep down they know full well that
our sights are set higher than theirs now. By hook or by crook, come the opening fixtures,
Cardiff City will have the look of a side who are not in the Premiership to make up the
numbers. Add to that, Vincent Tan is not the kind of man to spunk money without regard
for the stability of the Club. 42,000 seater stadium, a Club on the up and up. The future is
bright. Relegation? We will be aiming for top half

Cracking post mate

In my opinion I'd sign. Yes he won't be able to be playing in the Champions League but we can offer him first team football in the best league in the world. If he performs he will be considered for France and he has said about his desire to play for France again. The pros out weigh the cons in my opinion. Don't forget we are a club on the up and with Langton sorted we could be an attractive club especially if he survive next season

In my opinion I'd sign. Yes he won't be able to be playing in the Champions League but we can offer him first team football in the best league in the world. If he performs he will be considered for France and he has said about his desire to play for France again. The pros out weigh the cons in my opinion. Don't forget we are a club on the up and with Langton sorted we could be an attractive club especially if he survive next season

The selling point SHOULD be that we are NOT going to struggle and he will be central to that.
There will be a lot of interest in us this season and with him playing week in week out he will
get a lot of exposure as one of the main reasons why!

In my opinion I'd sign. Yes he won't be able to be playing in the Champions League but we can offer him first team football in the best league in the world. If he performs he will be considered for France and he has said about his desire to play for France again. The pros out weigh the cons in my opinion. Don't forget we are a club on the up and with Langton sorted we could be an attractive club especially if he survive next season

The selling point SHOULD be that we are NOT going to struggle and he will be central to that.
There will be a lot of interest in us this season and with him playing week in week out he will
get a lot of exposure as one of the main reasons why!

veteran fan... you post a lot like TaffyApple used too, a coincidence?

Sky Sports window watch states that he is now willing to discuss a deal with us