Brian Barry-Murphy has refused to rule out Jesper Daland returning to Cardiff City in January, despite growing speculation surrounding the Norwegian defender's long-term future in south Wales.
Daland is currently on loan at Viking FK, where his performances have reportedly attracted interest from several European clubs ahead of the winter transfer window. The 26-year-old featured against Aston Villa in the Champions League on Wednesday night, giving him another opportunity to showcase his abilities on one of European football's biggest stages.
While a permanent move away from Cardiff still appears the likeliest outcome, Barry-Murphy insists no decision has been made about what happens when Daland's loan agreement expires in January.
Loan Exit Linked to Lawlor's Rise
Asked whether the defender could return to fight for his place in the second half of the season, the Bluebirds boss explained that his initial departure was largely influenced by the emergence of Dylan Lawlor.
"I think the timing of when he left was based around the fact that previously, last year, he probably wasn't aware of how much we believed in Dylan Lawlor," Barry-Murphy said.
"Dylan became a mainstay of our team, and Jesper obviously wants to play, so it was going to be very difficult for him. He made the decision to go and play, which is good for him. But from January onwards, I don't know yet."
Interest from European Clubs
Pressed on whether he was closing the door on a Cardiff comeback for Daland, Barry-Murphy gave a one-word response: "Never."
The comments come amid reports that German clubs Schalke 04 and Eintracht Frankfurt, along with French outfit Lille, are monitoring Daland's progress in Norway. According to journalist Ekrem Konur, scouts from the three clubs watched the centre-back last month, although interest was understood to be at an early stage and no concrete offers had been received at the time of the report.
It was also claimed Cardiff would be prepared to consider offers between €3million and €4.5million for the defender, potentially providing the Bluebirds with a useful financial boost ahead of a January window in which they are expected to look for reinforcements.
Contract and Competition for Places
Daland joined Cardiff from Belgian side Cercle Brugge in 2024 and remains under contract until the summer of 2028. However, his opportunities under Barry-Murphy have been limited by the club's defensive options, with Gabriel Osho, Will Fish, Krystian Bielik, Lawlor and Calum Chambers all competing for places.
Lawlor's emergence last season was particularly significant, with the young Wales defender establishing himself as a regular in Barry-Murphy's side. His progress has since been disrupted by injury, with the Cardiff manager confirming yesterday that a hamstring problem will keep him out until after the international break.
Daland, meanwhile, has gained valuable European experience during his loan spell, featuring in Viking's Champions League campaign against the likes of Bayern Munich and Stuttgart before Wednesday's meeting with Aston Villa. For now, at least, the expectation remains that Cardiff could look to cash in if substantial interest materialises.
