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Wales Online
Sport
Glen Williams

Erol Bulut's clear Cardiff City transfer plan taking shape and what's to come in next phase of recruitment

It's so refreshing to see a fan base so rejuvenated, revitalised, by this new Cardiff City.

Of course, heading into any new season there is optimism. Supporters cautiously convincing themselves that this is their year. Perhaps expectations are not as lofty as that just yet at Cardiff, but there is hope that this upcoming season is far better than the last two. Admittedly, that isn't difficult.

There is an element of the unknown which adds to the intrigue and excitement, of course. Erol Bulut is an unfamiliar name to City's supporters, while Ike Ugbo and Dimitrios Goutas are also scarcely known, too.

READ MORE: Cardiff City transfer news as Leicester City defender signs and bullish youngster wants to 'influence' Bulut's decision

After two seasons of doom-mongering, though, we can forgive fans for allowing themselves to get carried away. It's what football is all about, after all.

Bulut is also fuelling that excitement by his signings. Ugbo brings an element of the unknown after two good seasons in Belgium but two less fruitful ones thereafter. Goutas is a proven defender and brings experience - he was one of the first targets Bulut had on his wish list.

And now Cardiff are set to announced their third signing of the summer, Yakou Meite who joins as a free agent following seven years with Reading. A forward, who can play as a striker or out wide, who notched double figures for his goals tally in three successive seasons before a nasty ACL injury which has again resulted in two less successful campaigns.

But the reaction has been positive from Cardiff fans, and Reading supporters are gutted to see him leave. Indeed, they thought he was bound for a top-flight move overseas before he was snared by the Bluebirds.

Bulut's transfer plan has been clear since the day of his unveiling. Cardiff's attack simply has to be better this year if they are to have a fighting chance of scaling the ladder in what looks like an incredibly competitive league this year. Given they are hamstrung once again this summer, unable to pay fees, City are never going to be able to attract the very top talents. They are after those who need a second chance or have a need to prove themselves. They are shopping in a different, but extremely competitive, market and supporters seem broadly encouraged by their early-window dealings.

All of this comes with two major deals floating in the background, including the big, white elephant in the room; Aaron Ramsey. The other being Chidera Ejuke of CSKA Moscow. Clearly, with two higher-profile names being bandied around, it heightens not only the excitement but the expectation.

With Ejuke, well the current situation is that Bulut, and Cardiff, are big fans. He is a pacey winger who would add real quality to the final third for City. It would replace the void left by Jaden Philogene's exit and then some, according to those on the inside at Cardiff.

Any potential deal is not straightforward, though, and this one in particular has its complications. Ejuke was granted a temporary suspension to his contract in Russia last year and was allowed to join Hertha BSC for a season. Cardiff are hoping to take advantage of a similar ruling this time around.

Reports in Russia state he has been granted the same suspension as last year, handing a major boost to City's pursuit of him. However, as with any player of real quality, the Bluebirds are not the only ones circling and they have a battle on their hands to get it over the line. If they did, it would be some coup.

Then, there is Ramsey. Giving a brief precis of what has been reported extensively over recent weeks; Cardiff would welcome him back with open arms, Ramsey would love to return to his boyhood club one day and his next move will be dictated by reuniting his family after a year on the Cote d'Azur with Nice.

Throw in the fact that chairman Mehmet Dalman said he had announcements coming that would prompt City to sell out their entire allocation of season tickets and Cardiff supporters think they have put two and two together.

We've been here before, of course, with Gareth Bale last year. The former Wales captain was a real target for City and talks were held with him before he informed the club he had chosen to join Los Angeles FC. Bluebirds will hope they aren't burnt again this time around and that the pull of Ramsey returning to where it all began for him will prove greater than it was for Bale, who admittedly had never played for the club.

A player of Ramsey's quality, though, will also have other potential suitors. So it's a complicated one and, again, as hard as it might be, patience is very much needed.

All five of those names - the three signed and the two others who are targets - all have an emphasis on upping City's goal tally. Indeed, even when Cardiff announced the signing of centre-back Goutas, Bulut made a point of stating that he would help his side score from set pieces.

So, that's where we are at the moment. Bulut reiterated once again this week that he wants up to 10 signings so there is still a way to go. He also hinted that adding to the defence is not out of the question before the window closes. Cardiff do look a bit thin beyond Mark McGuinness and Goudas at centre-back, so that might be a consideration.

It's important to note, too, that Bulut is prepared to wait until the end of the window before pulling the trigger on final transfers. Better players who thought they might play parts for so-called bigger clubs, both domestic and overseas, who are allowed to leave in the final throes of the window. So after the initial flurry, don't be surprised if there are fallow periods, too.

The plan has been clear at the start of this Bulut era, though, and supporters are liking what they are seeing so far. From transfers to tweaked tactics, which you can read more about here, supporters are enjoying what they are seeing this summer.

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