Omari Kellyman pictured with Chelsea squad in surprise twist
Omari Kellyman's future has taken an unexpected twist after the former Cardiff City loanee was spotted with Chelsea's first-team squad on their pre-season tour of Australia. The 20-year-old had been expected to spend another season away from Stamford Bridge after starring for Cardiff during last season's promotion-winning campaign, scoring 11 goals and establishing himself as one of Brian Barry-Murphy's key attacking players.
Earlier this summer, reports claimed Chelsea were keen to arrange a loan move 'as soon as possible' and had even decided to leave Kellyman behind from their pre-season tour to accelerate a temporary transfer. That looked to hand Cardiff encouragement in their hopes of bringing the youngster back to the Welsh capital. However, Chelsea's plans have changed. Kellyman has now travelled with Xabi Alonso's squad after Geovany Quenda suffered an injury, opening up a place on the tour.
The development does not necessarily rule out another loan move this summer, but it is a notable change from Chelsea's original plans and could delay any decision over his future. Cardiff remain admirers after Kellyman's outstanding campaign in blue, while Barry-Murphy and assistant Lee Riley both have strong links with Chelsea recruitment chief Joe Shields from their time together in Manchester City's academy.
Rivals emerge in Hjerto-Dahl chase amid Tromsø counter-offer
Cardiff's pursuit of Jens Hjerto-Dahl has become even more complicated after fresh reports in Norway claimed another Championship club has joined the race. The Bluebirds remain in advanced talks with Tromsø after reportedly submitting a package worth more than 100 million Norwegian kroner (£7.8million including add-ons), with the Norwegian club understood to have responded with a counter-offer.
Earlier on Sunday, Norwegian newspaper Nordlys reported that Austrian giants RB Salzburg and Feyenoord were preparing to rival Cardiff for the midfielder. However, the publication has since updated its report, now claiming RB Salzburg and an unnamed Championship club are the two sides most likely to challenge Cardiff's pursuit. Nordlys adds that Feyenoord and several other clubs continue to monitor the situation but are not currently as advanced in their interest.
Despite the increased competition, Cardiff are still described as being in the driving seat after weeks of negotiations with Tromsø. The report suggests both club and player are now prepared to wait before making a final decision in order to see whether the new interested clubs formalise their interest with offers capable of matching Cardiff's bid. Hjerto-Dahl is still expected to feature in Tromsø's Europa League qualifier away to Hradec Králové later this week before any transfer reaches its conclusion, with sporting director Lars Petter Kræmer-Andressen previously insisting the Norwegian side are under no pressure to sell.
Barry-Murphy has already reassured supporters that Cardiff are working 'very, very hard' on transfer business, adding after Saturday's win over Forest Green Rovers: 'We are very clear on what we need and who we want, it just takes time.'
