WHYTE DEAL CLOSE BUT BOSS STILL IN HUNT FOR STRIKER
NEIL Warnock says Cardiff City are some way from making a breakthrough in their search for a new striker.Warnock has made little secret of his desire to add more firepower to his squad ahead of the new season, particularly in light of Kenneth Zohore’s £8million move to West Bromwich Albion earlier in the summer.
An injury to Gary Madine on his return to the Cardiff first team in the 1-0 win over Nice will have only compounded the Yorkshireman’s concerns ahead of a tricky Championship curtain-raiser with Wigan Athletic next weekend.
The club are believed to be closing in on a new signing in the form of Oxford United winger Gavin Whyte, but Warnock still has his heart set on a getting another striker over the line.
However, although targets have been identified, he admits there is currently nothing imminent.
“He’s [Whyte] one of those we’ve talked about and I’m hoping we can bring two or maybe even three in this week, if I can,” said Warnock after the win over Nice.
“I might have to forego certain areas. I’m really looking at strike force more than anything and we haven’t had much luck, it’s no good saying we’re near. We aren’t that near. I imagine it’s about 50-50 at the minute.
“I’m not just going to sign anybody for the sake of it. We have got two major targets but at the moment I’m afraid neither of them we can say we’ve got a good chance of getting.
“If you could give me two or three players this week I’d be absolutely delighted because I don’t think we’ve got enough to think about automatic promotion.”
Warnock is set to cast the net beyond the UK this summer, and insists the club’s hierarchy are working flat out to bring the right man on board, although there are potential back-up options available.
“There’s not a lot around [in the UK],” he added. “So we’ve got to do what we can. We got £8m with Ken and I know people will say you shouldn’t sell him until you’ve got someone, but I just felt he needed the change and we did.
“It’s not as easy as you think but we are working really hard. This morning I had meetings galore and calls, you name it.
“Mehmet Dalman and Ken Choo are really trying hard. I’d rather wait and get our main targets. I think we’ve got reserves up our sleeves for probably a second striker, but I’d rather try to get a main one if I can.
“We’re looking overseas because I don’t think there’s much around here. There might be the odd one late on in a loan deal over here, but anyone of any substance has gone in terms of what I’m looking for.”
Oxford boss Karl Robinson says he expects Whyte to complete a move to Cardiff soon.
Robinson had previously played down reports linking Whyte with a move away, but has now confirmed that a bid, believed to be from the Bluebirds, has been made for the Northern Ireland international.
A move could be completed in the next few days.
Personal terms are still yet to be agreed with the player, but Robinson believes a departure from the Kassam Stadium is inevitable, although he insists there is still some way to go on the deal.
“I expect him to leave,” he said. “The bid that we’ve had that we’ve still not 100 per cent accepted – and there’s still loads of things that can go right or wrong – is good.”
Previous reports had suggested that the move for 23-year-old would cost around £2m, but Robinson insists the price is higher than that.
He added: “We’ve still got to haggle, but there are other things attached to the deal which make it very lucrative.
“It’s north of £2m with everything in, so that’s a phenomenal turnover.”