Cardiff City's summer transfer window has sprung into life, with the Bluebirds closing in on Republic of Ireland international Jack Moylan. Brian Barry-Murphy's side are set to make their first outfield signing of the summer as Lincoln City's attacking midfielder heads to the Welsh capital.
Nathan Trott remains Cardiff's only permanent addition so far this summer after turning his loan spell into a full-time move. Much of the club's focus had centred on Tromsø midfielder Jens Hjertø-Dahl, but that pursuit appears to be ending amid reports Hull City have agreed a transfer for the Norwegian youth international.
First outfield signing close
Attention has now shifted to Moylan, who looks increasingly likely to become the first new outfield arrival under Barry-Murphy. Cardiff are understood to be closing in on an agreement for the 24-year-old after a superb campaign with Lincoln as the Imps secured promotion to the Championship. According to The Times, a 'substantial fee' has been agreed between the two clubs, with only the formalities of the transfer remaining.
Moylan was notably absent from Lincoln's squad for Saturday's pre-season friendlies against Doncaster and Barnsley. Imps head coach Tom Shaw told BBC Lincolnshire: "That's with the club, the Jack Moylan situation. Something has been reported on social media, that's just with the football club."
Creative midfield option
Moylan scored 11 league goals and registered seven assists from midfield last season, establishing himself as one of League One's standout performers. His form earned him a senior Republic of Ireland call-up this summer, taking his international tally to two caps after appearances against Grenada and Qatar.
Comfortable operating as a No.10, an advanced No.8 or drifting into wide areas, Moylan would provide Barry-Murphy with another creative option capable of adding goals and attacking impetus from midfield. Although Cardiff supporters have also highlighted the need for another deeper-lying midfielder, Moylan's arrival would address a different requirement within the squad.
The Bluebirds already boast options including Alex Robertson, David Turnbull, Joel Colwill, Rubin Colwill, Eli King and Dakarai Mafico, but Moylan offers a profile that is arguably closest to the role Omari Kellyman performed so effectively during his loan spell last season. His willingness to receive the ball in tight spaces, drive forward with possession and contribute in the final third appears well suited to Barry-Murphy's possession-based style.
Deal details and background
Moylan only signed a new contract with Lincoln in March, committing to the club until 2030. That underlines the significance of Cardiff's pursuit and the fee required to prise him away after just one full season at Sincil Bank. The midfielder initially joined Lincoln from Shelbourne for around £75,000 in 2023 after being spotted by then-Shelbourne manager Damien Duff during a spell with Wexford.
At 24, Moylan fits Cardiff's recruitment model of signing players with room for further development while possessing enough experience to make an immediate impact. Barry-Murphy on Saturday said he was aware of the player and had congratulated him and the rest of the Imps squad for winning League One ahead of them last season.
Remaining transfer priorities
Cardiff's slow start to the transfer window has tested supporters' patience, but the club have consistently maintained they are focused on bringing in quality rather than simply adding numbers. The Bluebirds are still expected to strengthen in several positions before the transfer deadline, with the No.6 role, which Barry-Murphy alluded to on the weekend, left-back, the forward line and wide areas all remaining priorities.
Should Moylan complete his move, it would provide Cardiff with a significant attacking boost ahead of their return to Championship football and could finally signal the start of what promises to be a busy final month of the transfer window.
