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Glen Williams

Cardiff City transfer headlines as Bluebirds confident over landing ex-Rangers man but face competition for other target

Here are your Cardiff City headlines for Monday, April 25.

Cardiff confident over landing Alnwick

Cardiff City are growing confident over landing St Mirren goalkeeper Jak Alnwick this summer, WalesOnline understands.

The Bluebirds are in the market for a new keeper, with Alex Smithies set to leave the club after four years in the Welsh capital. They had shown interest in Derby County No.1 Ryan Allsop, but faced competition from all over the Championship for the in-demand shot stopper. Allsop also recently stated he doesn't want to leave Pride Park.

READ MORE: The Cardiff City transfer notebook

But Cardiff appear to have landed on Alnwick, the former Newcastle United and Rangers man currently up in the Scottish Premiership. Reports up in Scotland earlier this month first alerted City fans of Cardiff's interest. The 28-year-old is out of contract this summer and is available on a free transfer, which would suit the Bluebirds down to the ground.

While sources have intimated they are hopeful of getting this one over the line, they reiterate nothing is set in stone until the transfer window opens on July 1.

Andy Dibble, who is heavily involved when it comes to recruiting for that position, has a fine record of bringing in quality goalkeepers, having helped to bring in the likes of Neil Etheridge, Smithies and Dillon Phillips. If the Bluebirds get this one over the line, he will hope Alnwick is thought of in similarly favourable terms by the Cardiff faithful, too.

Blackpool among clubs interested in Adams

Cardiff City face stiff competition if they are to sign Ebou Adams, a player understood to be on their transfer radar.

WalesOnline has learned that a number of Championship clubs are keen on the midfielder, 26, who has been one of Forest Green Rovers' top performers over the last few years.

Unfortunately for Cardiff, that hasn't gone unnoticed by their rivals, who also believe the player to be good value on a free transfer.

And it is understood Blackpool are one of several clubs battling Cardiff for the player's signature. The Seasiders, of course, had Ryan Wintle on loan at the start of the campaign and are looking to bolster their midfield next term.

Whether Cardiff can fight the Tangerines, and others, off remains to be seen.

Leeds to revamp loan system after Drameh success

Leeds United are set to revamp their loan system thanks to the successful spell Cody Drameh has had at Cardiff City, according to The Athletic.

Drameh had to force through his move to the Bluebirds in January, with Marcelo Bielsa keen on keeping him at Elland Road amid an injury crisis at the turn of the year. However, the 20-year-old wanted to be assured of game-time and moved to south Wales.

It's fair to say, he has been a revelation and has received rave reviews for his performances in a blue shirt. So much so, that Cardiff want him back next season and top-end Championship clubs such as Bournemouth are enquiring about him.

Drameh's success, coupled with Bielsa being replaced by new manager Jesse Marsch, appears to have pointed Leeds in the direction of allowing more youngsters out on loan next summer.

"Bielsa was resistant to sending out development players on temporary deals, preferring to keep them at Thorp Arch irrespective of how much first-team football they were playing," the report states. "Cody Drameh is an isolated example of an under-23 playing elsewhere and only then because he went against Bielsa’s wishes by insisting on taking an offer from Cardiff City. Leeds rejected numerous other inquiries, including more than one for Crysencio Summerville and an approach from Wigan Athletic for midfielder Sean McGurk. Lewis Bate and Cresswell have also been the subject of external interest.

"In the coming transfer window, Leeds will give more consideration to loan bids for their under-23s, with the aim of them playing as much senior football as Drameh has at Cardiff. Bielsa liked to mix the first team and development squads, regularly creating large training groups out of both, but the club have reverted to a more conventional set-up under Marsch, with clearer lines drawn between them."

Jefferies hits winner in comeback victory at Coventry

Isaac Jefferies hit an 87th-minute winner for the under-23s in their comeback win over Coventry City.

The Bluebirds went a goal down in the first half, with Fabio Tavares scoring just before half-time. But it was a second-half showing to be proud of for Darren Purse's side as they fought back bravely to earn all three points.

A Coventry trialist turned the ball into his own net just before the hour-mark before Jefferies, who had come off the bench, left it late to hit a late winner and complete an excellent turnaround win.

During the Cardiff celebrations, Coventry were reduced to 10 men when Sky Blues man Jordan Shipley was shown a straight red.

For Cardiff, trialist Jaami Qureshi was on show, a winger from Brighton who you can read more about here.

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