Cardiff City are reportedly on the brink of making their first major signings of the January transfer window, with a new midfielder and striker both set to join the club.
Manager Erol Bulut has missed out on his original targets and has widened his look to more players from abroad.
The Bluebirds' need for recruitment has been laid bare by their recent form, with manager Erol Bulut suggesting he could quit the club as he was "unhappy" with many things, including their progress in the January window. While they have already brought in Japanese defender Ryotaro Tsunoda, he has been immediately loaned out to KV Kortrijk, with Bulut's depleted squad still lacking in depth.
Cardiff are "close to agreeing a transfer" with Oslo-based Valarenga for Serbian striker Andej Ilic. Cardiff were reported to have launched a "big bid" for the player earlier this month, with the clubs locked in negotiations over a potential move.
However, TV 2 say there has now been a "breakthrough in negotiations" with both sides pushing for a deal to be completed on Monday. 23-year-old Ilic scored 11 goals in 16 games last season, including nine in 13 Eliteserien appearances for Valarenga, with the fee paid by Cardiff reported to be around £3.5mm spread over three years.
Ilic is reportedly set to be joined at Cardiff by midfielder Badou Ndiaye, with a deal in principle said to have been agreed with Adana Demirspor for the Senegal international. Reports in Turkey suggest that while other SuperLig sides including Pendikspor and Samsunspor were interested in Ndiaye, he is now set for a return to the Championship having previously spent two years at Stoke City.
Elsewhere, Cardiff continue to be linked with Liverpool defender Nat Phillips, after his loan with Scottish champions Celtic was cut short. Championship rivals Blackburn and Leeds are also said to be interested in signing the 26-year-old centre-back on loan, with Jurgen Klopp once describing him as a "monster" for his aerial abilities.
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