Just one week to go in what's already been a busy window for The Bluebirds.
Summary of the window so far:
So far during this window we've seen eight new arrivals in the Welsh capital with eight outgoings.
Cardiff have primarily focused on recruiting in the final third with the additions of Yakou Meite (Reading), Karlan Grant (West Brom), Ike Ugbo (Troyes), Aaron Ramsey (Nice), and Josh Bowler (Nottingham Forest). The Bluebirds have also recruited from Turkey with both Dimitrios Goutas and Manolis Siopis joining from Turkish Super Lig sides Sivasspor and Trabzonspor. The most recent addition was Alex Runarsson who joined on a season-long loan from Arsenal last week.
As far as outgoings it's been busy as well. Isaak Davies and Sheyi Ojo have joined Belgian outfit KV Kortrijk on loan, full back Joel Bagan has joined fellow Belgian side Zulte Waregem on loan. Eli King has joined Morecambe in League Two on a season-long loan, elsewhere young defensive duo Ollie Denham and Tom Davies have completed loan moves to Scotland; Denham joining Dundee United and Davies joining Kilmarnock. Rohan Luthra completed a short-term loan move to Slough Town. The only permanent outgoing to date is Max Watters who's joined Barnsley for an undisclosed fee.
What to expect?
I don't see things slowing down in this final week of the window with The Bluebirds still actively recruiting. Cardiff City are known to want to add a centre half before the deadline, and Bulut is also keen to see a few names out of the door.
Incomings:
Cardiff City are set to confirm the signing of former Manchester United youngster Charlie Wellens. Not that long ago Wellens was linked with Roma and training with The Red Devils first team, since then he's had an okay loan spell at Oldham and been released by United. The 20-year-old is now expected to complete a move to the Welsh capital and will link up with Darren Purse and The Bluebirds U21's.
As previously mentioned, The Bluebirds are known to want a centre half. A tweet from Paul Abbandonato suggests a contract offer for a new centre half has been made, but The Bluebirds are currently waiting for an answer.
A tease from Twitter source, Henry Saye suggests The Bluebirds are in talks with a French centre half , however a name has not yet been revealed.
A name that just won't go away is Kieffer Moore. Things appeared to be dead in the water, however, Paul Abbandonato suggests there's a chance that The Bluebirds could propose a fresh bid for the Welsh international next week, with a deal looking 50/50 at the moment.
Bulut didn't rule out Kieffer Moore's arrival in yesterday's press conference: "You know better than me, in England, on the last day many transfers go through… maybe we can catch one of them! We will see."
Bulut did however rule out Gaziantep defender Ertuğrul Ersoy. Turkish outlet TekSpor linked him with The Bluebirds however the rumours were swiftly shut down by Erol Bulut.
Here's what Bulut had to say on the Ertuğrul Ersoy rumours: "No. I got a message from the press in Turkey (asking about it), where I worked before and I said 'No', I did not talk with him at all."
It also appears despite rumoured talks on Twitter, Jonathan Panzo going to The Bluebirds isn't a move that will happen this summer, as Bulut made it clear he would prefer a permanent centre half rather than a loan, therefore ruling out a move for Panzo.
I think it's very likely we see at least one more signing this summer which will be a centre half. A player such as Kieffer Moore would be a lucky bonus and would really set The Bluebirds up for a successful season.
Outgoings:
There will be departures before the Deadline with a few players told they're free to leave over the last week or so.
After falling down the pecking order, Romaine Sawyers has been told he's free to leave as Bulut deems him too good to be sat on the bench. Sawyers and his agent are thought to be trying to manoeuvre a move before the Deadline. Sawyers has played 40 times for The Bluebirds and impressed under previous boss Sabri Lamouchi, however, it looks like his Cardiff days are running out just over a year after signing.
Bulut didn't hold back when talking about Vontae Campbell who's also been told he's free to leave. Bulut did admit that the thing holding a move back for Campbell is because he's had little to no interest this summer. Campbell played twice last season, getting sent off on his debut against Portsmouth. Campbell is contracted until 2025.
Erol Bulut is keen for young winger Kieron Evans to go out on loan in the last week of the window as it's crucial he gets game time, something he's not guaranteed at Cardiff. There's thought to be a whole host of sides interested in securing Evans' signature.
Despite reports suggesting interest in the attacker, Rubin Colwill will not leave the club this summer. Bulut confirmed interest in the Welsh international but he has no plans of getting rid of him this summer. Bulut has been impressed by Colwill in his limited minutes so far, Bulut admitted that Colwill will be key for cup games and when injuries kick in.
There's been murmurs of interest in Ryan Allsop from Hull who has admirers at The Tigers. Also, DiffCentral on Twitter have reported that Andy Rinomhota could leave the club in the last week of the window as well.
When could The Bluebirds conclude their business?
I expect The Bluebirds to go to Deadline Day with a potential deal for Kieffer Moore. If a Moore deal is ruled out before the deadline then I expect business to be concluded a few days before the deadline, then we could just expect a Deadline Day of a couple of outgoings.
Successful Window?
I certainly think so. The Bluebirds have gotten rid of deadwood and have improved especially in the forward areas. A centre half is needed but I expect one to come in. If a deal for Kieffer Moore is completed then I could really see The Bluebirds pushing the top half this season. Bulut targeted 8-10 players this summer and it looks like he'll get what he wants.
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