Jens Hjertø-Dahl has refused to be drawn on mounting speculation over his future after admitting Thursday night's Europa Conference League defeat could have been his final appearance for Tromsø.
Missed Penalty and Transfer Speculation
The Norway under-21 international, who is the subject of a Cardiff City bid worth more than £7.8 million, was asked directly about the Bluebirds' interest following his side's 1-0 home defeat to Czech outfit Hradec Králové. Hjertø-Dahl missed a penalty during the match.
Asked by Norwegian outlet iTromsø whether Cardiff had made an offer, he replied: "No comment. If something happens, you'll get all the information you want, but right now the focus is on TIL (Tromsø)."
Hints at Departure
"We'll see. I will contribute as long as I can and I'm already looking forward to next week. I hope so," he added when asked if he expected to play in the second leg in the Czech Republic. The 20-year-old was also asked whether he hoped supporters would remember him for more than the penalty miss if it proved to be his final game in Tromsø colours.
"Of course," he told Nordlys. "Hopefully I have done other things that will stay with me and others. Today it was a bad penalty, but that happens. If this was my last game, I hope I have done other things that people will remember."
Cardiff's Improved Bid
Cardiff submitted their improved proposal earlier this week, with Norwegian reports claiming the package exceeds 100 million Norwegian kroner (£7.8 million) once bonuses are included, with around 80 million NOK (£6.2 million) guaranteed. The Bluebirds' offer is understood to have sparked negotiations between the clubs and would comfortably eclipse Tromsø's previous record transfer sale if completed.
WalesOnline revealed this week that Cardiff owner Vincent Tan has taken a close personal interest in negotiations, with Brian Barry-Murphy identifying Hjertø-Dahl as one of his leading midfield targets following the departure of Ryan Wintle. Rangers remain interested after seeing an earlier £5.3 million bid rejected, although their pursuit has appeared to cool as they move for alternative midfield options.
Tromsø Preparing for Departures
Meanwhile, Tromsø sporting director Lars Petter Kræmer-Andressen has admitted the Norwegian club are already preparing for the possibility of losing some of their key players before the transfer window closes. "We have to be prepared for movement in this window because there wasn't any movement in the last one," he told iTromsø. "We have been clear about that all along, so it is nothing new or surprising that there is interest in several of our players. Tromsø has the ability to replace players, but replacing three such key players is unrealistic."
