Here are your Cardiff City transfer headlines for Thursday, July 8.
Cardiff's striker search hots up
Cardiff City have squarely turned their attention to bolstering their striker options ahead of the new season.
The Bluebirds have been remarkably busy in the transfer window, adding 10 new players to reinvigorate a squad which needed a real boost heading into a fresh campaign.
Goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and wingers have all been brought in during the last few weeks, however Cardiff are yet to get a striker through the door. But it's not for the want of trying.
READ MORE: Cardiff City expectation goes up a notch for breakthrough players who now face fresh challenge
City are toiling hard behind he scenes to bring in at least one forward over the coming weeks. It is understood they are exploring both permanent and loan options at the minute, but there are no players close to signing imminently.
While no names have been linked specifically, Cardiff are thought to be building their squad on the basis of being far more mobile all over the pitch, which might just change their tack when it comes to recruiting sizeable, target-men-type strikers which they have done in recent years.
As things stand, Cardiff have Max Watters, James Collins, Mark Harris and Isaak Davies, who is currently injured, as their striker options.
Pompey boss reveals James Collins for sale
Portsmouth boss Danny Cowley has revealed Cardiff City have made it clear that James Collins would be free to leave this summer but conceded that Pompey will likely lose out to another interested party.
Collins appeared to be surplus to requirements at Cardiff after a frustrating first season with the Welsh capital city club. He fell down the pecking order after Mick McCarthy's dismissal and does not look like he is in Steve Morison's plans.
And Cowley corroborated that school of thought, confirming that Cardiff had made their stance clear on the player. But, with Derby County also interested in the 31-year-old's services, The Pompey manager seems resigned to the fact they will miss out on their striker target.
“James Collins is obviously a player who we know well. We have a lot of respect for him, both as a player and a person, and is someone we identified early when we were informed that potentially he would be available," Cowley told the Portsmouth News.
“But I’m not sure that it will be possible for us, if I’m honest. It would have been a player we’d have liked to take on a loan – and I think there’s another club which will probably take him permanently.
Speaking about why he could talk about Collins and not other targets, Cowley added: "James Collins is a bit different because we’ve had clarity from Cardiff on that situation, but I wouldn't want to speak too much about the players we're trying to bring in."
Derby look the most likely to win the race to his signature, as things stand.
Cardiff confirm New Balance kit reveal tomorrow
The Bluebirds have also confirmed they will finally unveil their new New Balance kit tomorrow ahead of their first pre-season friendly against Cambridge United.
Cardiff were expecting their kit to arrive in time for an announcement earlier this week, however logistical and courier issues prevented the big reveal. As the clocked ticked closer to their first outing of the season, fans were left wondering whether kit had arrived for them to play against the U's in it this weekend.
However, the club have confirmed that the new kit will indeed be worn against Cambridge and also revealed the kit unveiling will take place on Saturday morning.
"The #Bluebirds will debut their @NBFootball 2022/23 season home kit at tomorrow's match against Cambridge United!" they wrote on Twitter. "For your first look at the new kit, tune in tomorrow morning."
Bagan pleased with Ireland boss praise
Cardiff City left-back Joel Bagan has spoken of the praise Republic of Ireland boss Stephen Kenny gave him during his breakthrough campaign last season.
Bagan has become a regular fixture in the Ireland U21s side and hopes to make that step up to the senior side in the coming years. He will get ample opportunity at Cardiff to impress, but having seen the progression at international level he feels positive about being coaxed through into Stephen Kenny's senior side.
“There’s a lot of youngsters in the first team already, which is great for me and the other U21s to see,” he told Pundit Arena. “We watch all their games in the hotel and stuff and a lot of the boys are a similar age to what myself and you know, people like Mark McGuinness are.
“I spoke to Stephen Kenny once at the training ground. We just had a little chat and just said he’s watched a few of my games and stuff and thought that I done well last season. But that was about it really.”
Bagan, who qualifies for the Republic of Ireland through his grandparents, has had some positive comments from Kenny, who watched him playing for Cardiff a number of times last year.
“It’s nice seeing that it’s the one person you want it to come from,” Bagan said of Kenny's scouting of him. "He’s the one who is in charge of it all and when he’s giving you compliments and saying 'you’ve done well' on stuff, it does give you confidence.
“When you’re playing you don’t know who’s watching you, but to hear that from him was nice.”
Two Bluebirds fixtures moved
Cardiff City's Campionship matches against Birmingham City and Bristol City have been selected for Sky Sports coverage.
The Bluebirds' home match against Blues was originally scheduled for 3pm on Saturday, August 13, but has now been brought forward to a 12:30pm KO on the same day.
The following week's trip to Ashton Gate has been pushed back a day, from a 3pm KO on Saturday, August 20 to a 12pm KO on Sunday, August 21.
- Cardiff City vs. Birmingham City - Cardiff City Stadium, 13/08/2022, 12:30pm KO.
- Bristol City vs. Cardiff City - Ashton Gate, 21/08/2022, 12pm KO.
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