Man City chief opens up on transfer exits as Cardiff City close in on target

Cardiff City are closing in on the signing of Manchester City youngster Tommy Doyle.

Bluebirds boss Steve Morison confirmed his interest in the 20-year-old midfielder following the 1-0 defeat by Blackburn Rovers at the weekend.

It is hoped that deal can get over the line in the coming 24 to 48 hours and it seems as though it is a deal which will work both for Cardiff and Man City.

The Manchester club's under-23s boss Brian Barry-Murphy, a man who was considered for the top job at Cardiff following Mick McCarthy's exit, has said that allowing his players to go out on loan to gain experience is a positive move.

"I have quite a lot of experience with the loan market," the former Rochdale manager told MEN Sport.

"There will be a host of clubs in a lot of countries that will want our players. The situation is very complex in terms of what is happening with the pandemic. The club will have some ideas, and at the moment I’m not aware of any of our players leaving on loan.

"If that changes, it has the knock-on effect of when we’ve lost players to injury, younger players will come into the fray.

"From our point of view it’s a no-lose situation, it’s making sure all of our players get as much action as possible and if that involves going on loan to enhance that, that’d be good."

Given Doyle featured only six times off the bench for Hamburg in Bundesliga 2 this term before cutting his loan short, they will no doubt hope he has more involvement at Cardiff should his deal go through.

Meanwhile, Leeds United loanee Cody Drameh has expressed his delight after making his debut for Cardiff.

The 20-year-old right back was signed on loan last Wednesday and went straight into the starting XI for the Bluebirds' clash with Rovers at the weekend.

He impressed, especially during the first half, before tiring slightly after the break, eventually getting replaced by Rubin Colwill.

But his performance was certainly enough to provide some encouragement and the player himself believes there is something to build on in the coming weeks.

"Disappointing result [against Blackburn], I felt we deserved more from the game," he wrote on Instagram.

"On a personal note I’m delighted to have made my debut.

"Lots of positives to try and build on in the coming weeks."

Elsewhere, Sunderland legend Kevin Phillips believes Aden Flint would represent a good signing for the Black Cats.

The League One club have been linked with a move for the Bluebirds defender in recent days, with the 32-year-old's contract in the Welsh capital up at the end of the current campaign.

And while there has been little to suggest at this stage that Cardiff have had any sort of offer for the centre back, Phillips thinks Lee Johnson should go in for his former Bristol City defender because he would be a "good addition" both in defence and attack.

“I think he’d be a very good option, certainly at that level," the former Black Cats striker told Football Insider.

“He is useful in terms of his size. He is a huge guy.

“Like Bailey Wright, I think he could drop down a division and do a job for Sunderland. He’s someone who could dictate and organise that backline.

“Let’s not forget that he has chipped in with a fair few goals over the years. He gives you that added height from set plays.

“Sunderland have conceded from crosses in the last couple of games. We saw the equaliser at Wycombe and someone like Flint could help cut those goals out. I think he’d be a good addition.”

And Phillips also weighed in on Kieffer Moore's mooted interest from West Ham.

TalkSPORT recently said that move could be "one to watch", although once again there have been no suggestions that will come to fruition.

And the former England striker said that, if the Irons do act on any supposed interest, Bluebirds front man Moore could benefit from David Moyes' coaching and challenge Michael Antonio for that forward berth.

“I think he would challenge Antonio," he said.

“Is he in the same mould as what is already there? No. He is similar in his physique but his attributes are quite different. Antonio is strong, quick and runs at players while Kieffer Moore is more of an aerial threat.

“We have seen players progress and get a lot better under Moyesy’s coaching. Maybe he could be another one.

“He would be a good backup for Antonio but I don’t think he’d have the quality to be the focal point of West Ham’s attack on a weekly basis.

“It’d be a step up for Moore. The Premier League is full of world-class players. It’s different.”

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