Here are your Cardiff City transfer headlines for Tuesday, August 3.
Marley Watkins plays again
Marley Watkins has turned out once again for the Bluebirds, this time the under-23s against West Brom.
The young Bluebirds took on the Baggies on Tuesday afternoon and Watkins, along with Rubin Colwill, Isaac Vassell and Josh Murphy, was named in the starting line-up.
After the senior games against Bath and Southampton, this is Watkins’ third game in a City shirt this summer, however whether Mick McCarthy will offer the Wales international a permanent deal or not remains to be seen.
With Gavin Whyte having joined Oxford United on loan, McCarthy might deem it necessary to fill the void. But, as the manager said after Southampton, there is nothing set in stone just yet.
“The answer to that is I’m not sure,” McCarthy said last week when asked if there was a deal in the pipeline.
“Marley asked if he could come in and train. I’ve known Marley a long time, I like him, he played at Barnsley and had a very good time.
“He’s had a couple of injuries which have restricted him.
“I said, ‘Look, you can come in and train’ and, to be honest, with our lack of numbers it’s been good to have him.
“I thought he did alright in the first half. But there’s no promises on anything.”
The under-23s beat West Brom 4-2, coming back from 2-0 down through an Isaac Vassell double as well as goals from Kieron Evans and Chanka Zimba.
Aaron Ramsey targeted by Newcastle
Newcastle United have made overtures to Juventus about signing Aaron Ramsey, according to Goal.
The Bluebirds academy product sees his position in Turin under a lot of scrutiny ahead of the new season, with the Italian media repeatedly reporting that Juve are attempting to get Ramsey off the wage bill.
At one stage, just over a month ago, Cardiff City were even as short as 16/1 to sign their former player. However, it was widely recognised that was fanciful.
It was reported at one stage that Liverpool and Everton were interested in taking him to Merseyside, while Arsenal, Crystal Palace and West Ham were credited with interest, too.
But it now looks as though the Magpies are well in the race to sign the Wales star.
Goal claim the discussions between Newcastle and Juventus have been informal and no official transfer bid has been lodged.
Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri, meanwhile, has recently backed Ramsey to be a success at the Allianz Stadium.
He told Sport Mediaset : “Ramsey played very, very well in front of the defence and I think in that role he can really become an important player.
“I think if Ramsey can be convinced to play in front of the defence, he can really do well there.
“He already can see passing channels, has a good sense of the geometry of the field and can also rest on the ball more than he does up front.”
Bluebirds legend backs new signing to succeed
Former Cardiff City defender Danny Gabbidon has backed new signing James Collins to succeed after a prolific pre-season campaign.
There is some concern that Cardiff have not signed another creative player in the middle of the pitch, a point which Gabbidon also raises, but the ex-Wales defender believes the addition of Collins will be a big plus for McCarthy and Co this term.
“With Cardiff, you’d expect them to be pretty solid and difficult to beat,” Gabbidon said on EJFOF.
“It’s just probably the top end, really. In midfield, maybe they are missing a creative player, someone a bit different with some legs and athleticism, they haven’t really signed that type of player.
“James Collins has come in as an alternative to Kieffer Moore, I think he’ll do alright. I know him really well and he will do a good job playing alongside [Moore], either or, really, if Kieffer needs a rest.
“He can get goals.”
Gabbidon was also impressed by young Wolves loanee Ryan Giles, who has perhaps added the most creativity during the club’s pre-season campaign.
“The one who has impressed me the most, probably the standout player, in pre-season is Ryan Giles, the lad who has come in on loan from Wolves,” Gabbidon added.
“He has looked really good and can play different positions. He is predominantly a left back, left wing-back, but Mick McCarthy has played him as one of the front three, on the right-hand side.
“He has got a really good delivery from wide areas, he is really direct as well and tries to make things happen.
“I think Kieffer Moore, especially, will really enjoy playing with him because his crosses and deliveries from set-pieces are excellent.”
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