Cardiff City's transfer activity is picking up, with Jack Moylan expected to become the Bluebirds' first outfield signing of the summer. Meanwhile, several players could be heading out, including Kion Etete and Dakarai Mafico.
Colchester United Interested in Kion Etete
Kion Etete looks set for another season away from Cardiff City, with League Two side Colchester United among the clubs interested in the striker. The 24-year-old had a frustrating loan at St Mirren last season after Brian Barry-Murphy decided he would be better served gaining experience elsewhere.
His time in Scotland failed to reignite his career, following poor loans with Bolton Wanderers and Rotherham United, making another move the likely outcome. Rumours of a trial with Tranmere Rovers were unfounded, though Tranmere assistant boss Dean Whitehead, who worked with Etete at Cardiff, is an admirer.
Port Vale also explored signing Etete but instead signed Max Watters from Barnsley. Newport County have been linked, but no contact has been made. Colchester are the latest to register interest, though discussions have not progressed.
A permanent transfer is complicated by Etete's wages, which have reverted to Championship levels after Cardiff's promotion. Cardiff prefer another loan to allow Etete to rebuild his value, and they retain an option to extend his contract by a year.
Dakarai Mafico Set for Another Loan
Promising midfielder Dakarai Mafico is expected to leave on loan again. The 19-year-old impressed at Yeovil Town last season, winning the club's Young Player of the Year award. He spent much of pre-season with the senior squad, but was absent from final fixtures.
Barry-Murphy confirmed to WalesOnline that another loan is on the cards: "He's fully fit. I think he's one of the players who will probably go out on loan, but I don't know where or when."
Barry-Murphy is a big admirer of Mafico, believing he can become an elite deep-lying midfielder. With Alex Robertson impressing in the No.6 role and Eli King returning from injury, regular senior football elsewhere is seen as more beneficial. Cardiff expect to find Mafico a loan higher up the EFL pyramid than last season.
Midfield Search Continues After Hjertø-Dahl Pursuit Ends
Cardiff are still looking to strengthen at the base of midfield. Barry-Murphy said after the Roma friendly: "It's an area of the pitch we're still looking to improve and strengthen."
The search became more important after Cardiff's pursuit of Jens Hjertø-Dahl ended. Hull City appear set to win the race with a monster bid and offer of Premier League football. Tromsø boss Jørgen Vik confirmed Hjertø-Dahl's likely departure: "We were informed that he was going to travel to England. Because of that we had to think differently."
Vik added about Tromsø's summer business: "They're enormous sums, both historically for the club and in Norwegian football generally. But it doesn't really help me as a coach. What matters to me are the players I have available."
With Hjertø-Dahl seemingly destined for Hull, Cardiff's recruitment team will turn to alternative midfield targets before the transfer window closes.
