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Exclusive: ' Sol Bamba to Boro? '

Sat Aug 22, 2020 9:58 am

EXCLUSIVE: Warnock keen to raid former club to sign veteran star


Friday 21st August 2020


Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock wants to raid his old club Cardiff City for veteran defender Sol Bamba, TEAMtalk understands.

Warnock agreed to remain at Boro after saving them from the drop, as we exclusively revealed. However, their plans to bring in a number of new faces has not gone to plan.

Boro have lost out on a host of deals with the likes of Lyndon Dykes, Joe Williams and Charlie Goode all going elsewhere. That’s despite our sources indicating Boro pressed hard to land them.

Warnock, however, remains keen to bring in a number of new names before the start of the season. He is now focusing on some of his former lieutenants having lost skipper George Friend to Birmingham. The departure of the long-serving Friend came after he turned down an offer to stay at The Riverside.

Boro are set to approach Cardiff about a deal for Bamba. They hope they will allow the 35-year-old to move to The Riverside for a nominal fee.



Boro have been handed a tough start to the new season as the EFL announced their fixture list.

After travelling to Watford in their first game, Boro then entertain another relegated side, Bournemouth, in their next game.



Neil Warnock

“It doesn’t get much tougher as a start does it?” Warnock said.

“They are two good sides, and we’ve got to make sure we’re ready.


“They’ve both just come down and I’m sure they will lose a few players from last season, but they’ll also gain some as well so they’ll be strong.

“You look at it and say it’s as tough a start as you can have, but we all know what the Championship is like and every game is tough.

“I’m looking forward to it. Hopefully we’ll get a few more new signings in and we’ll be ready to go.”
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Re: Bamba to Boro?

Sat Aug 22, 2020 10:07 am

I really like Sol, however I don’t think it would be a bad thing if he goes, his wages I bet are high and he hardly plays anymore, plus it will open up the slot to get this youngster on loan from Man U

We have enough leaders in the squad and he has the potential to be a coach, but playing at a championship club aiming at promotion imo is past him.

So I for one would wish him all the best if he followed NW and thank him for his time here.

Re: Bamba to Boro?

Sat Aug 22, 2020 10:30 am

Welsh Exile wrote:I really like Sol, however I don’t think it would be a bad thing if he goes, his wages I bet are high and he hardly plays anymore, plus it will open up the slot to get this youngster on loan from Man U

We have enough leaders in the squad and he has the potential to be a coach, but playing at a championship club aiming at promotion imo is past him.

So I for one would wish him all the best if he followed NW and thank him for his time here.


Exactly this, no doubt he has a big presence and is a leader at the club, realistically though one would imagine his playing time this season will be limited...

A nominal fee and savings on wages would go some way to strengthening the squad elsewhere.

Re: ' Sol Bamba to Boro? '

Sat Aug 22, 2020 10:31 am

Middlesbrough considering a bid for Cardiff's Sol Bamba in latest transfer speculation

Former Bluebirds boss Neil Warnock knows the powerful 35-year-old well from his time in the Welsh capital

By Philip Tallentire

Boro live

Saturday 22nd August 2020

Middlesbrough are eyeing up Cardiff’s veteran defender Sol Bamba according the the latest transfer speculation

Former Bluebirds boss Neil Warnock knows the powerful 35-year-old well from his time in the Welsh capital.

And a new report claims he’s prepared to make an approach for Bamba, who has a year remaining on his current contract.

Boro are in the market for defenders and missed out this week on Northampton Town centre-back Charlie Goode, who joined Brentford on Wednesday

Teamtalk claim:. “Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock wants to raid his old club Cardiff City for veteran defender Sol Bamba.

“Warnock agreed to remain at Boro after saving them from the drop. However, their plans to bring in a number of new faces has not gone to plan.

“Warnock, however, remains keen to bring in a number of new names before the start of the season.

“He is now focusing on some of his former lieutenants having lost skipper George Friend to Birmingham. The departure of the long-serving Friend came after he turned down an offer to stay at The Riverside.

“Boro are set to approach Cardiff about a deal for Bamba. They hope they will allow the 35-year-old to move to The Riverside for a nominal fee.”
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Re: ' Sol Bamba to Boro? '

Sat Aug 22, 2020 10:32 am

I’d hate to see him leave.

His behind the scenes leadership is supposed to be excellent and even if not playing his impact off the pitch could be vital.

Also if Morrison or Nelson gets injured who comes in? Flint? I’d have Sol on the pitch ahead of him everyday.

Re: Bamba to Boro?

Sat Aug 22, 2020 10:36 am

If there is any truth in this report I can't see City holding back and would release him from the final year of his contract with us. But would Sol really want it at this stage of his career as he has already made a good living from the sport he loves. Also it has been reported he and his growing family are very happy living in City of Cardiff, so would they want the upheaval of moving to the North East.

Re: Exclusive: ' Sol Bamba to Boro? '

Sat Aug 22, 2020 10:45 am

I cant see him wanting to go unless he feels he I being forced out or Boro give him a long term deal.

Re: Exclusive: ' Sol Bamba to Boro? '

Sat Aug 22, 2020 11:00 am

All good things come to an end and if another Club can offer Sol gametime then he should go and play whilst he still can.

That's not to say I want him to leave, but I would understand it and send him off with nothong but best wishes

Re: Exclusive: ' Sol Bamba to Boro? '

Sat Aug 22, 2020 11:40 am

Or alternatively, Sol is being lined up to take more of a coaching role at the club, as both Neil Harris and the club's hierarchy are impressed by him as a man and as a future club leader

I guess a move to 'Boro from a playing point of view would be good but Sol is at the time of life when 'what comes next' should be at the front of his mind and any opportunity to step up as a coach (whilst maybe continuing with his increasing media role) could be the smarter option

Love Sol, love what he brought to the table in his time her to date and would love the guy to stay at the CCS in a dual capacity of (likely squad) player and coach

Re: Exclusive: ' Sol Bamba to Boro? '

Sat Aug 22, 2020 11:43 am

Sol Bamba shares Cardiff City training update amid Middlesbrough links



Bamba wants another full season playing and Warnock can give him that where Harris cant.


By Luke Phelps


22/08/2020


Cardiff City defender Sol Bamba has been linked with a move to Middlesbrough.

The 35-year-old has endured a tough 18-month spell, littered with injuries and inconsistency, and now it looks as though he could be leaving the South Wales club this month.

He’s been tipped with a move to Middlesbrough where ex-Cardiff boss Neil Warnock is said to be keen on a reunion with the Ivorian, who shared this Instagram post after the first week of pre-season training with Cardiff:



Bamba wants another full season playing and Warnock can give him that where Harris cant.


Bamba was one of Warnock’s best players during the 2017/18 promotion-winning campaign. He featured in all of Cardiff’s Championship games that season and managed four goals.

He then went on to feature 28 times for the club as they were relegated from the top-flight, but Bamba emerged as a resolute defender, and a firm fan favourite among the Cardiff faithful.


But with just six league appearances to his name last season it seems as though he might be surplus to requirements under Neil Harris.

As for Boro, they kick-started their summer with the signing of Grant Hall – the ex-QPR man was let go by the club ahead of the restart, becoming Warnock’s first signing as Boro boss.




The verdict

Bamba is a well-liked player. At both Leeds ans Cardiff he proved a popular individual but after some months on the sideline, does he really still have what it takes to compete at this level?

Boro fans will back Warnock no matter what his decision is. Signing Bamba for a fee might not be wise given his age but if Warnock thinks he can help Boro on their way to promotion, then it’s likely that the move could materialise on the coming weeks.
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Re: Exclusive: ' Sol Bamba to Boro? '

Sat Aug 22, 2020 11:57 am

Shame we could have taken 11m off fulham in jan 2019 but he turned it down

Re: Exclusive: ' Sol Bamba to Boro? '

Sat Aug 22, 2020 12:05 pm

boyo1927 wrote:Shame we could have taken 11m off fulham in jan 2019 but he turned it down


What are you on about £11m do you mean £1m :laughing6:

Re: Exclusive: ' Sol Bamba to Boro? '

Sat Aug 22, 2020 12:47 pm

Sol became a city legend in a very short space of time, and we all took to him after his first game. But at 35 now, and not really playing much of a part in the second half of last season, he's not going to be missed on the playing side. His wages are probably a lot more than you want to pay a fringe player, so I say let him go with all our best wishes.

Re: Exclusive: ' Sol Bamba to Boro? '

Sat Aug 22, 2020 1:27 pm

We have to live in the real world and Bamba is at the end of his career and if we can get something back off Warnock after all the money he wasted let’s do the deal! If he becomes a great coach we can bring him back as our Manager, let him go with our Best Wishes !

Re: Exclusive: ' Sol Bamba to Boro? '

Sat Aug 22, 2020 2:28 pm

I hope he doesnt go. I still think hes got it tbh

Re: Exclusive: ' Sol Bamba to Boro? '

Sat Aug 22, 2020 3:09 pm

Good good player for us but had that bad injury so not sure how good he still is.....would safe a few quid on the wage bill but would rather off load Flint if there was a choice

Re: Exclusive: ' Sol Bamba to Boro? '

Sat Aug 22, 2020 4:14 pm

Club should strike a deal where they can only have Sol if they take flint too.....

Re: Exclusive: ' Sol Bamba to Boro? '

Sat Aug 22, 2020 4:39 pm

Igovernor wrote:
boyo1927 wrote:Shame we could have taken 11m off fulham in jan 2019 but he turned it down


What are you on about £11m do you mean £1m :laughing6:



i dont remember this at all and think it would have been quite a big talking point ...

Re: Exclusive: ' Sol Bamba to Boro? '

Sat Aug 22, 2020 5:42 pm

From a playing point of view I think sol is finished here but from a long term coaching roll he could be just starting with us ,I was told sol takes traing sessions and helps harris out a lot

Re: Exclusive: ' Sol Bamba to Boro? '

Sat Aug 22, 2020 5:52 pm

wez1927 wrote:From a playing point of view I think sol is finished here but from a long term coaching roll he could be just starting with us ,I was told sol takes traing sessions and helps harris out a lot



In that case if NH is happy to trust SB to that extent then why would he move on?

Re: Exclusive: ' Sol Bamba to Boro? '

Sat Aug 22, 2020 7:39 pm

It was only a matter of time before NW starting looking at his type of players at our club .

Re: Exclusive: ' Sol Bamba to Boro? '

Sat Aug 22, 2020 7:42 pm

I would lik CCFC to offer sol a coaching job think he's got great man manager skills could be a future BLOOBIRDS manager

Re: Exclusive: ' Sol Bamba to Boro? '

Sat Aug 22, 2020 11:14 pm

Big Hill Blue wrote:
wez1927 wrote:From a playing point of view I think sol is finished here but from a long term coaching roll he could be just starting with us ,I was told sol takes traing sessions and helps harris out a lot



In that case if NH is happy to trust SB to that extent then why would he move on?

Only the papers saying that

Re: Exclusive: ' Sol Bamba to Boro? '

Sun Aug 23, 2020 10:26 am

Boro boss Warnock linked with move for Bamba

Boro live

Neil Warnock is reportedly interested in making a move for Cardiff City’s Sol Bamba and bring him to Middlesbrough.

Reports that the Boro boss wants to raid his former club for the 35-year-old.

Bamba has spent the last four seasons in the Welsh capital and has played a total of 111 times for the Bluebirds, scoring 10 goals.

The report states that Boro have not yet approached the Bluebirds over a deal for Bamba, but hope he will be allowed to move for a ‘nominal’ fee.

It is thought that manager Neil Warnock has kept in close contact with Sol Bamba, who would be keen on continuing his playing career,

Re: Exclusive: ' Sol Bamba to Boro? '

Sun Aug 23, 2020 10:06 pm

boyo1927 wrote:Shame we could have taken 11m off fulham in jan 2019 but he turned it down



What???

Re: Exclusive: ' Sol Bamba to Boro? '

Mon Aug 24, 2020 6:41 am

Coty accepted 11m offer but Bamba turned it down

Re: Exclusive: ' Sol Bamba to Boro? '

Mon Aug 24, 2020 7:58 am

I think we should definitely keep sol. I understand people saying he’s getting on and hasn’t played much but players like him don’t come around much anymore. I think since the pandemic money is going to be very tight and trying to replace sol even as a back up defender would probably cost more and he also has so much experience and off the field leadership. I see him with Harris a lot on the bench and talking to players in a semi coach role. Think bamba should stay as back up and maybe a young centre back on loan as the 4th option. Flint needs to move on though, to much money high wages

Re: Exclusive: ' Sol Bamba to Boro? '

Mon Aug 24, 2020 8:05 am

boyo1927 wrote:Coty accepted 11m offer but Bamba turned it down


You must be thinking of fantasy island boyo1927, can you please tell us where you read this fairy tale :laughing6:

Re: Exclusive: ' Sol Bamba to Boro? '

Mon Aug 24, 2020 8:34 pm

Shame the link isn't with Warnock in for Flint.

I wonder how many of his money signings Warnock would take of us for half of what we paid for them?

Flint, Vassel, Pack for starters.