Neil Warnock Targeting 2 More Signings, Including Grujic

CARDIFF CITY BOSS NEIL WARNOCK SEEKING 'MISSING PIECE' STRIKER

By Chris Wathan
BBC Sport Wales

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Cardiff City are targeting two further signings including a striker before the start of the Premier League season.

Manager Neil Warnock says he has identified potential forwards with a view to a loan deal.

The Bluebirds boss has also confirmed he is in talks to sign Liverpool midfielder Marko Grujic on loan.

"We'd like a couple of loan players in. We've spoken to Marko and then I'd want to get a striker as well - that's the missing piece," Warnock said.

Warnock has signed four players since Cardiff booked their return to the top flight in May.

Deals for Preston left-back Greg Cunningham and Norwich winger Josh Murphy were followed by this week's capture of Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Alex Smithies and Bristol City forward Bobby Reid.

Warnock already has three frontline strikers in his squad - Kenneth Zohore, Danny Ward and January signing Gary Madine - but says he wants one further option ahead of the new campaign.

"I just feel you need four at the top level so we'll be looking at one, but we won't rush into that," the veteran manager told BBC Sport Wales.

"We'll have a look but we've got until August 9 to do that and we'll try and bring somebody in, hopefully on loan.

"We've already looked, we think there will be four, maybe five, players that we would take and we only have to come out with one of them.

"I think we have a great chance because I can't see (all) five of them being bought for the kind of money we're talking about. We have to be patient and see what comes about."

Cardiff have also agreed a new deal with winger Junior Hoilett and are still in discussions with out-of-contract Iceland midfielder Aron Gunnarsson, though Warnock is keen to re-sign Grujic regardless.

The Serbia international, 22, spent the second half of last season on loan with the Bluebirds and played 14 times as they won promotion from the Championship.

Warnock says he has spoken to Liverpool about a season-long loan, adding: "I think it could suit everybody.

"I was delighted with him last year and hopefully things can work out. We can give him what nobody else can give him and that's Premier League games.

"They can see how he's improved with the games he had. He knows the way we play and I can only see him playing more games for us next year."

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Go get Arslan from besiktas,those that have doubt,go to besiktas website and watch his videos.knicknamed the magician,great reader of a game and sublime passer off either foot.they value him around 7.5 million euros,a steal in my eyes.champions league experience too.

Shouldn't the heading be 2 plus grulic?

Shouldn't the heading be 2 plus grulic?

Hope so because we need better in the midfield than last season for sure.

By the way,I am not a new poster,just took a year off due to father's dementia.r.i.p.

Shouldn't the heading be 2 plus grulic?

I believe the heading is accurate as it sounds like he would be looking at Grujic as 1 of the 2, I got that impression from this quote "We'd like a couple of loan players in. We've spoken to Marko and then I'd want to get a striker as well - that's the missing piece".

I am also basing my assumptions on it being a loan deal for Grujic as that would be the most likely way of him re-joining us.

We might well end up with more than 2 if our next signings are on loan but I think we would have to see several departures first for that to happen.

i think he will sign 2 strikers. Hes probably playing 4/5 strikers off each other and saying he wants one. Warnocks a very good talker.

Shouldn't the heading be 2 plus grulic?

I believe the heading is accurate as it sounds like he would be looking at Grujic as 1 of the 2, I got that impression from this quote "We'd like a couple of loan players in. We've spoken to Marko and then I'd want to get a striker as well - that's the missing piece".

I am also basing my assumptions on it being a loan deal for Grujic as that would be the most likely way of him re-joining us.

We might well end up with more than 2 if our next signings are on loan but I think we would have to see several departures first for that to happen.

Looks as if the predictions of a budget of around £30m plus loans was not too far out then. Reading that article, it sounds as if it's Grujic plus a striker to complete the squad.

Midfield is way too shy of quality, we need one more plus Grujic, we don’t have that playmaker type to boss a game

Midfield is way too shy of quality, we need one more plus Grujic, we don’t have that playmaker type to boss a game

Dead right. The midfield looks threadbare

Gunnnarson injury prone! Midfield looks bare apart from Wings.....also we need a right back and centre back cover!

I like the signings but you can’t be too loyal to players in premier league who bought you up!

Hoping the two more are exciting! Bluebirds

Get arslan from besiktas,class midfielder,streets ahead of what we have,class player.€7.7 million,a steal in my opinion.

Get arslan from besiktas,class midfielder,streets ahead of what we have,class player.€7.7 million,a steal in my opinion.

Arslan and grujic in centre midfield and we would habe some real quality there then, bobby reid then playing advanced midfield off a new striker, thats my ideal senario

Get arslan from besiktas,class midfielder,streets ahead of what we have,class player.€7.7 million,a steal in my opinion.

Would he choose the Premier League over Frankfurt in the Bundesliga?