Cardiff City have contacted Middlesbrough over the possibility of signing Uche Ikpeazu on loan, WalesOnline has learned.
As we reported earlier on Wednesday, Steve Morison is understood to be a fan of the striker, who has an obvious physical presence and much-needed experience in the Football League.
Cardiff have opted for young Premier League loans thus far in the window, having brought in Manchester City youngster Tommy Doyle and Leeds United right-back Cody Drameh.
However, Cardiff's forward line is lacking in experienced options and the club feel they could do with that as they look to get out of the relegation fight.
Middlesbrough boss Chris Wilder has confirmed that Ikpeazu is available to leave this month, with the prospect of a loan move attracting the Bluebirds.
However, it is understood that Boro's preference would be for the player to leave for a transfer fee, we are told the club are looking for around £750,000 for the front man.
That is currently proving a stumbling block as Cardiff are interested in taking the player on a temporary basis until the end of the season.
Cardiff checked in with Boro in Wednesday morning to register their interest, however Championship rivals Millwall, Hull City and West Brom are all also interested in the striker.
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The 26-year-old was very much on Cardiff's radar in the summer. However, Mick McCarthy instead opted for James Collins, a known quantity with whom he had worked in the Republic of Ireland setup.
Cardiff's interest in Ikpeazu will likely prompt some supporters to think that it spells the end for Kieffer Moore's time at the club. However, at time of writing nothing official has been offered for the Wales striker amid reported interest from Bournemouth.
Cardiff believe the way to eke the best out of Moore would be to add competition in his position, which Ikpeazu, as well as the recently-recalled Max Watters, would.
The Teesside club have recruited Aaron Connolly and Folarin Balogun on loan from Brighton and Arsenal respectively and are looking to free up Ikpeazu's wages as a result.
Ikpeazu has three goals this term but has fallen out of favour since Wilder took over from Neil Warnock at the start of November, playing just 46 minutes of Championship football since the managerial change.
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