' LEE TOMLIN / BUT ? '

Neil Warnock hints Lee Tomlin could leave Cardiff City before transfer window closes

But Tomlins high wages are the stumbling block.

Nottingham Live

Friday 27th July 2018

The future of Lee Tomlin remains firmly up in the air at Cardiff City, but manager Neil Warnock has confirmed he could be departing Wales by deadline day.

Tomlin spent the second half of last season on loan at Nottingham Forest, and had been expected to make a return to the City Ground earlier this summer following a promising spell which saw him net four times in 12 outings.

Boss Aitor Karanka is a big admirer of Tomlin, and keen to bring him back to Nottingham,but Tomlins wages are the stumbling block, discussions were opened with Cardiff about a fresh move for the 29-year-old.

That move never materialised and Karanka went on to sign plenty of attacking talent during a busy summer on Trentside with the likes of Diogo Goncalves and Gil Dias arriving.

Warnock admits that there has been interest in Tomlin, along with two other out-of-favour Bluebirds, striker Omar Bogle and midfielder Anthony Pilkington.

"We've had one or two enquiries that will all come up I would imagine and liven up in the next three weeks," Said Warnock.

"Especially when I announce my squad on the 9th (of August), the Football League have got another two or three weeks so I think a lot of them will be waiting until deadline as always."

With the transfer deadline approaching on Thursday week, Warnock expects that departures of his fringe players that haven’t featured in City’s senior pre-season could go right to the wire, just like it did with Tomlin in January.

He arrived on Trentside late on deadline day, with Jamie Ward going in the opposite direction, closely followed by Armand Traore.

"I don't know why but it's always the same. With the lads going out, it's always at the last minute, nobody really wants to pay their wages for three weeks.

"I don't enjoy deadline day because no matter what you say or plan, it just goes out of the window."

Walesonline keep saying wages are an issue but are they really? even at 30k a week if they take him onloan they aren’t paying a transfer fee and doubt we would ask for a loan fee. The loaning club can cut him loose at the end of the season if they want. To me it seems a great option for a championship club looking for someone like him who did well towards the end of last season at forest for a very reasonable cost.

Walesonline keep saying wages are an issue but are they really? even at 30k a week if they take him onloan they aren’t paying a transfer fee and doubt we would ask for a loan fee. The loaning club can cut him loose at the end of the season if they want. To me it seems a great option for a championship club looking for someone like him who did well towards the end of last season at forest for a very reasonable cost.

doesnt sound right to me either..they have splashed lots of cash already and even if they bought him out right the wages of 4.5 mill at the assumed 30k over 3 years is 4.5 mill plus a transfer fee { not sure we would be asking a huge amount }..its small potatoes for a player Karanka is a big fan of consdidering what they are spending..and of course,as you said a loan option 1.5 mill for a year in wages...sounds to me like Karanka is not nearly as keen as most reports say he is...
hope if we do sell him we are smart enough to add a sell on clause just in case at some point he goes on the Jane plan.

This waste of space is going to be lumbered with us till he contract runs out or is paid off. Poor signing.

Shame if he goes, flashes of quality and some unfulfilled potential. Never looked fit though nor did Warnock seem to trust him. Loks like Reid and Pato are our attacking midfielders, so he’s probably gone.

Shame if he goes, flashes of quality and some unfulfilled potential. Never looked fit though nor did Warnock seem to trust him. Loks like Reid and Pato are our attacking midfielders, so he’s probably gone.

Yup, spot on for me.

Shame if he goes, flashes of quality and some unfulfilled potential. Never looked fit though nor did Warnock seem to trust him. Loks like Reid and Pato are our attacking midfielders, so he’s probably gone.

This. If NW worked his magic then Tomlin would feel like a new signing, probably the most creative player in the squad IMO but don't think NW sees a future for him at City. Shame.

Shame if he goes, flashes of quality and some unfulfilled potential. Never looked fit though nor did Warnock seem to trust him. Loks like Reid and Pato are our attacking midfielders, so he’s probably gone.

This. If NW worked his magic then Tomlin would feel like a new signing, probably the most creative player in the squad IMO but don't think NW sees a future for him at City. Shame.

I don’t know about magic but so far it’s been a poor signing by Warnock.
If a player is not prepared to work at his career here - like move to the area, lose weight and get fit like a proper professional then get rid.
Yes he can be skilful and creative but without the fitness and work rate it’s no good the way Warnock sets his team up here it seems.

He was hyped up as the player Warnock wanted to sign. I think he's very talented, but for a start we should've insisted he moved down here. The court case and travelling were disruptive, but he hasn't helped himself with fitness issues.