Renew or Not? 6 Key Cardiff City Contract Decisions as Promotion Nears

Cardiff City have been proactive this season with a clear strategy to secure the futures of their young talent in the Welsh capital.

Vice-captain Rubin Colwill signed a new deal until the summer of 2030 on Monday, while fellow academy graduate Cian Ashford (21) also penned a new contract running until 2030.

Earlier this season, in their first campaigns as professional footballers with the Bluebirds, Dylan Lawlor (20) and Ronan Kpakio (18) signed deals until 2029 and 2030, respectively.

The club has also secured the services of Ollie Tanner (23) until 2029 and Yousef Salech (24) until 2030 as they continue building a youthful core of players under 24.

With the young guns locked down, attention now turns to three more experienced City players whose deals are set to expire this summer.

Joel Bagan, Ryan Wintle, and Perry Ng are three players under the microscope in a "Renew or Not" summer as Brian Barry-Murphy continues shaping his ideal Cardiff squad.

I will also take a look at Nathan Trott, Omari Kellyman, and Calum Scanlon, and give a verdict on their loan spells in the Welsh capital.

With Cardiff sitting 10 points clear of Bolton in third place and just eight games remaining, the Bluebirds remain on course to return to the Championship at the first time of asking.

Ensuring the right blend of youth and Championship pedigree will be key as Barry-Murphy assembles a squad capable of competing in the second tier next year, should promotion be secured.

Joel Bagan - Left-Back (24)

• Career appearances for Cardiff: 122 (4 goals, 9 assists)

• 2025/2026 appearances in all competitions: 44

• 2025/26 G+A Record: 1 goal & 3 assists

Bagan has been the undisputed first-choice left-back this season, with the lack of a natural alternative for the first half of the season. He has provided defensive stability while also offering creativity going forward.

The former Republic of Ireland U21 international has the second-most minutes in the league for Cardiff this season, and his attacking output has been exceptional. He has created more chances than any City player this campaign, with 51.

Verdict: Renew

He is an integral part of the Barry-Murphy system, and it is a no-brainer to keep his services beyond this season.

Ryan Wintle - Defensive Midfielder (28)

• Career appearances for Cardiff: 157 (6 goals, 13 assists)

• 2025/2026 appearances in all competitions: 40

• 2025/26 G+A Record: 1 goal & 5 assists

After signing from Crewe in 2021 on a free transfer, Wintle has had an up-and-down career in the Welsh capital. He has experienced two loan spells at Millwall and Blackpool, but has also regularly captained the side during Cardiff's time in the second tier.

Since being reintegrated under Barry-Murphy in the summer, Wintle has been sublime. Operating in the No.6 role, he acts as the defensive shield while linking defence to attack.

The numbers back up his importance. Cardiff are significantly weaker defensively without him, conceding almost twice as many goals when he is absent. He has captained the side five times this season and ranks third for league minutes among the Cardiff squad.

Verdict: Renew

His experience and leadership are crucial to this young group. He suits the Barry-Murphy play style and has already proved he can perform reliably in the Championship.

Perry Ng - Right-Back (29)

• Career appearances for Cardiff: 218 (14 goals, 19 assists)

• 2025/2026 appearances in all competitions: 35

• 2025/26 G+A Record: 5 goals & 5 assists

Ng like Wintle, joined Cardiff from Crewe in 2021 and has become one of the club's most consistent performers over the past five years.

After recovering from a pre-season injury under Barry-Murphy, he has grown into the season and now holds the fourth-most minutes in the league for City.

Defensively dependable and dangerous going forward, Ng has registered the fifth-most goal contributions in the squad this season (10).

He has also become a popular figure among the Cardiff faithful, with back-to-back Player of the Season awards in 2022-23 and 2023-24 backing up his consistency in the Welsh capital.

Verdict: Renew

A no-brainer. Ng is arguably in contention for a third Player of the Season award at the Cardiff City Stadium. Strong defensively and effective going forward, he has incredibly covered eight positions in a Cardiff shirt during his career. If promoted and his contract is renewed, he will remain the starting right-back.

Loan Decisions

Nathan Trott - Goalkeeper (27, on loan)

• Appearances: 40

• Clean Sheets: 13

• Save Percentage: 67.2%

• Saves Per 90: 2.2

• Goals Conceded Per 90: 1.1

Trott was Barry-Murphy's first signing as Cardiff manager and quickly established himself as the club's No.1.

He joined on an initial loan from Copenhagen with an option to buy for around £1.5 million should Cardiff secure promotion.

Early in the season, Trott drew massive praise and played a major role in earning Cardiff points with standout saves most weeks.

However, after his first real error at Orient in January, his confidence seems to have taken a knock. He no longer carries that same swagger on the ball or authority when claiming crosses as he did earlier in the season.

Despite that, he has already proved that he possesses the attributes to become a strong Championship goalkeeper and fits the modern profile of goalkeeper that Barry-Murphy wants.

Verdict: Trigger Buy Option

Despite the recent dip in form, City should look to secure Trott permanently if and when promoted. His outstanding qualities suggest he can continue at the club's No.1.

Omari Kellyman - Attacking Midfielder / False 9 (20, on loan)

• Appearances: 33

• Goals: 7

• Assists: 1

The Chelsea loanee joined on summer deadline day as Barry-Murphy's third and final summer arrival. He moved to Chelsea from Aston Villa in a £19 million PSR deal before joining City.

Since arriving in South Wales, his minutes have gradually increased after recovering from a serious injury before the move, but he has shown flashes of real quality throughout the campaign.

Kellyman has looked most threatening in central areas, operating either as a False 9 in Salech's absence or as a No.10.

He leads for most successful dribbles per 90 at 1.8 for Cardiff, and continues to grow in confidence with more minutes and has shown plenty of ambition.

Verdict: Loan again if possible

If Chelsea decides to loan him out again, City would likely be among the frontrunners to retain his services. A Championship loan could be the perfect next step for Kellyman, and if Chelsea are willing to facilitate, it could provide Cardiff with a hugely valuable player.

Calum Scanlon - Left-Back (21, on loan)

• Appearances: 6

The Liverpool loanee was brought in during January as cover for Bagan, but has struggled to get up to speed following lengthy injury problems.

He offers raw pace and potential, but has seen very limited minutes so far and has not shown enough to suggest he could challenge Bagan for the starting role.

Verdict: Don't look to renew

While Scanlon may have offered decent backup if fully fit, there are likely to be stronger alternatives available in the summer window.

Conclusion

Cardiff's core squad appears well-positioned to adapt to the second tier should promotion be confirmed in the coming weeks.

Retaining the likes of Bagan, Wintle, Ng, and Trott (if the option is triggered) will provide a strong spine capable of competing in the Championship.

Exploring another loan deal for Kellyman also feels like a smart move, given his ability, though that decision will ultimately depend on Chelsea's plans for the highly rated youngster.

With these renewals, and Barry-Murphy strengthening with a couple more key additions, his City squad is beginning to take shape as they aim to re-establish themselves at the level above.