Neil Harris issues Cardiff City transfer update amid links w

Neil Harris issues Cardiff City transfer update amid links with Cauley Woodrow, Dion Sanderson and Liverpool's Harry Wilson

The Bluebirds are still in the market for new recruits as we approach the final 24 hours of the domestic transfer window

By Tom Coleman


Thursday 15th October 2020



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Cardiff City boss Neil Harris insists he's confident of adding to his squad before the end of the domestic transfer window, and has played down the prospect of any departures before the window slams shut.

The Bluebirds are keen on bringing new faces on board before the close of the domestic deadline on Friday at 5pm, with Harris particularly keen on strengthening his forward options.

While admitting the club are finding it difficult to get deals done, Harris is clearly optimistic about the prospect of arrivals at Cardiff City Stadium.

"I do expect us to be active in the next 36 hours," he said. "History tells us that, but also the conversations I’ve been having with the board.

"We’re trying. We’re trying really hard. The board have been fantastic, working hard to get people in.

"I’m confident we’ll be doing some business over the course of the next 36 hours."

The likes of Cauley Woodrow, Dion Sanderson and Harry Wilson have all been linked with the Bluebirds over the last few days, but Harris is remaining tight-lipped on where things stand with their current list of targets.

"I’ve seen us linked with a few players over the course of the last few days," Harris said when quizzed on potential targets.

"Some have some substance. Some are way off the mark."

Speaking specifically on Woodrow, Harris added: "Cauley's a very good player at this level, but it’s very difficult at the moment to look at doing permanent deals.

"That’s why you’re not seeing any, and why the Paterson deal for example took so long to do. Permanent deals are so difficult for Championship clubs."

While the priority remains on strengthening his forward options, Harris is also keen on bringing in another right back before the close of the window, with Wolves youngster Sanderson recently heavily linked with a return.

"Dion’s been talked about before. He’s got himself into a position at Wolves where he’s really well thought of. He did well for us last year.

"If a deal was to happen to us or anyone else, it will probably be a last-minute call from Wolves."

As well as incomings, there have also been several players touted for moves away, including centre-back Aden Flint, who's reportedly attracted attention from elsewhere in the Championship.

However, Harris has played down the prospect of Flint, or indeed anyone else, heading out the door.

"I’m always conscious of players that haven’t appeared as much. Players want to play and Aden falls into that category.

"I like Aden Flint. First and foremost, he’s a great guy. He’s a huge professional and he’s a top Championship player.

"He’s extremely patient, waiting behind Morrison and Nelson, who’ve been one of the best pairings in the division over the last nine months.

"Of course he gets frustrated because he wants to play. His future’s with us, but he gets frustrated at not playing. I understand that, but if Aden or any player was to leave, we’d have to replace them. "

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Do you get the feeling we aren't going to sign anyone?

I think the purse strings have been pulled shut.

Do you get the feeling we aren't going to sign anyone?

I think the purse strings have been pulled shut.

some very mixed messages in there again... case of fingers crossed and hope for the best mate...

Do you get the feeling we aren't going to sign anyone?

I think the purse strings have been pulled shut.

some very mixed messages in there again... case of fingers crossed and hope for the best mate...

Doesn't sound good. Think there might be a fair bit of panic buying tomorrow by a lot of clubs.

Cardiff City are trying to bring in two new players before the transfer window closes on Friday - with Liverpool's Harry Wilson one of the targets.

Bluebirds boss Neil Harris has drawn up an exciting list of players he hopes to get over the line with 11th hour deals.

Barnsley's Cauley Woodrow and West Brom striker Charlie Austin are other men Cardiff are keen to bring in, and there is a further winger Harris is also believed to be looking at.

Each of the potential deals, we understand, have major financial complications around them.

Because of that, particularly in the current Covid-19 climate when Bluebirds owner Vincent Tan's leisure business has been badly hit, it is entirely possible Cardiff will sign no-one.

However, Cardiff still hope to get two players in for the rest of the 2020-21 campaign, even if it means loan deals, and behind the scenes negotiations will take place to try to strike agreements.

Harris is optimistic of signing new faces, saying: "The Board have been fantastic, working hard to get people in. I’m confident we’ll be doing some business over the course of the next 36 hours."

The move for Wales star Wilson is the one that will excite lots of Bluebirds fans the most, although as things stand Cardiff are viewed as outsiders to land his signature.

The 23-year-old bagged 15 goals for Derby at Championship level two years ago and would supply the goal power and creativity that has been sorely missing from Harris' team so far this season.

But Wilson is also wanted by Cardiff's arch-rivals Swansea City and his old club Derby, as well Nottingham Forest, as Liverpool look to loan him out.

Wilson's wages are not thought to be a problem, but Liverpool are said to want a £1m loan fee for the season.

Already it seems that has put off Swansea, but Cardiff would still need to come from behind to tie up a deal for a player Harris knows would instantly improve his side and who would greatly enthuse the fans.

Derby appear favourites to land Wilson at the moment, given how much he enjoyed his time there previously, but these things can change fast as the window closure approaches.

Jurgen Klopp wants Wilson to shine for another season with a promotion-chasing Championship team with a view to selling him for close on £20million next summer.

Cardiff are also in talks with Barnsley about landing Woodrow, who can play striker or 10.

There appears to be a difference in opinion over the size of the transfer fee, with Barnsley thought to be demanding around £2m, but it remains possible the gap can be bridged.

Harris rates Woodrow highly and knows how well he linked up with Kieffer Moore when the part were together at Barnsley.

Moore, of course, has also begun to strike up an understanding with Wilson at international level.

West Brom's Charlie Austin is another Harris is talking to and he has a proven goal record which could benefit a Bluebirds' promotion push.

But with Moore and Robert Glatzel already on board as centre-forwards, Austin is not necessarily viewed as big a priority as Wilson or Woodrow.

Harris is also chasing a winger, which would further bolster his creative options.

It is clear the manager has identified Cardiff's forward play as the main area of the team that needs strengthening, something that has become apparent with Cardiff failing to score in three of their five matches so far this season.

There has been far too heavy a reliance on Tomlin to create and get goals, but his fitness cannot be relied upon. The presence of Wilson or Woodrow, or even the pair of them, would resolve that dilemma and take much of the pressure off Tomlin.

It would also give Cardiff one of the most feared forward lines in the Championship, to supplement their already strong defence and hard-working midfield.

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Do you get the feeling we aren't going to sign anyone?

I think the purse strings have been pulled shut.

some very mixed messages in there again... case of fingers crossed and hope for the best mate...

Doesn't sound good. Think there might be a fair bit of panic buying tomorrow by a lot of clubs.

Tbf,I kind of expected it,with the covid situation, a lot of business will be done in last few hours of window,lots of players will be told they can leave,or are not in the managers plans so should find another club,it happens most windows tbf,but this one is rather different,clubs are very coy about fees and wage demands,and spending is reflecting as much,not much has been spent so far in the championship and below,just the big boys in the prem are not bothered by the impact of no match day income,it is us and below who are most affected

Confident prediction 3 in 1 out tomorrow!!

Liverpool FC are a bunch of t**ts. Asking for a £1m loan fee in the current climate is outrageous.

Confident prediction 3 in 1 out tomorrow!!

Sanderson, woodrow and a winger in, and Murphy out. Would be good.

I'd be happy with just sanderson and woodrow coming in though!

Do you get the feeling we aren't going to sign anyone?

I think the purse strings have been pulled shut.

This.

I was just going to ask where have we heard all this before only to end up "running out of time" "before we could attract anyone" (aka: before we can spend any money)!!! Hmmmmmmm.....

If we have no money to spend and we don't even have enough money to get loan players in, then why not just say so instead of feeding us rumours and bullshit transfer window after transfer window. FFS We deserve better - end of!!