Cardiff City transfer news as verdict on Nottingham Forest man given, outgoings imminent and Goutas’ bullish claim
The latest Bluebirds news from Cardiff City Stadium
Here are your Cardiff City headlines for Thursday, August 3.
Jonathan Panzo links played down
Cardiff City have played down links to Jonathan Panzo.
The Bluebirds are certainly in the market for a central defender, with Cedric Kipre, Curtis Nelson, Sean Morrison and Oliver Denham having left in some capacity over the last seven months, with only Dimitrios Goutas being brought in.
It means that behind Goutas and Mark McGuinness, the options there do look thin on the ground and as such the club are looking to strengthen in that department.
READ MORE: Every word from Cardiff City boss Erol Bulut on Ramsey, transfers and Leeds United
And The Athletic report that Cardiff and Vitesse Arnhem are eager to land the 22-year-old, who has previously been linked with the Bluebirds in past transfer windows
Panzo looked bound for a loan to Rangers in the Scottish Premiership, however that appears to have broken down. City most recently signed one of Panzo’s Forest team-mates, Josh Bowler, with manager Erol Bulut having a personal relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis, whom he knows from his Olympiacos days.
But when asked if there was interest in the defender, Bulut said: “No. Right now, no interest.”
Panzo played 31 times for Coventry City on loan in Championship last season, including their play-off matches.
Goutas confident City will achieve promotion aim
A bullish Dimitrios Goutas believes Cardiff can achieve their ultimate goal of promotion to the Premier League.
Goutas was the Bluebirds’ second signing this summer and he looks a smart pick-up, having impressed in pre-season alongside McGuinness at the heart of defence.
And, speaking to England365, he said: “I feel very good, the atmosphere in the dressing room is very good and I felt familiar from the first moment in Cardiff. Mr. Bulut is a coach with many ambitions, with a personality, he knows what he wants from the players and I am sure that his presence in the team will act as a catalyst for the realisation of our goals.
“My personal ambitions are the same as those of the team. A team that aims to present an attractive spectacle, play beautiful football and claim promotion to the Premier League . We will work very hard for it and we will succeed.
“Cardiff is a historic team. My aim is to contribute in such a way as to get promoted and play in the Premier League.”
Goutas is one of six signings so far, another of whom is Aaron Ramsey, of course. Speaking about the Wales captain, the Greek defender said: “He is a player with many performances, competing in all competitions. I understand he’s a legend for Wales and I’m very happy we’re team-mates. His experience is very important for our locker room and team.”
Outgoings imminent
Bulut expects a number of players to leave the club this summer after making six signings.
The squad is a decent size now, but there will have to be outgoings before the window closes, especially if more incomings are expected.
Bulut expects at least another two players in through the door before September 1, but room will have to be made.
On outgoings, Bulut said: “Some of them, yes, they will leave. We will have meetings with them because I don’t want any player that I cannot use them or they are sitting on the bench, it’s not good for their career. We will see what players we can loan or sell.”
Davies’ first words at Kortrijk
Isaak Davies has spoken for the first time since his loan move to Vincent Tan-owned KV Kortrijk was announced.
It was announced that Tan had sold the Belgian club to American investors the Kaminski Group, however that deal is understood to have fallen through.
However, Tan is now using his Belgian club to benefit Cardiff City, by offering young striker Davies the opportunity to go out and prove himself in a good league.
Speaking to the club’s website, the Welsh forward said: “I’m really happy. It was a long time coming and I’m just really glad it’s over the line now and can’t wait to get started.
“I like to attack but I also like to press from the front and be aggressive. I think I’ll have success going forward, but also defending and helping the team that way as well.
“The main thing is I want to play games and help the team as much as possible and hopefully I can help the team with some goals and assists as well.”
Speaking about Davies’ move, Bulut said: “He is a young player. I spoke with him and I think it is a very good move for him to go to Kortrijk and to show himself in the Belgian league.
“I hope he will have a good year and then we can see further what we will do with him. He would not have had many minutes with us so it’s good to loan him to Kortrijk so he gets minutes to play.”
Moz made Millers captain
Sean Morrison will don the captain’s armband in the Championship once again this season.
The former Bluebirds captain signed a new deal with the Millers this summer and has been made skipper for the upcoming campaign.
Morrison replaces long-serving former club captain Richard Wood, who ended his nine-year stay at the New York Stadium in the summer, following the expiration of his contract.
Flint makes League Two switch
Morrison’s former centre-back partner, Aden Flint, has signed for League Two side Mansfield Town.
Flint left Cardiff a year ago and found home in Stoke, however game time was hard to come by so he went on loan to Sheffield Wednesday, with whom he earned promotion to the Championship.
It was thought the 34-year-old would land back in the Championship again this summer, but in a surprise swoop he has been snapped up by Mansfield Town.
“I’m delighted to get it [the deal] over the line,” he said. “It’s been in the pipeline for a few weeks now and I’m looking forward to getting going.
“It’s the right move at the right time in my career.”
