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Transfer rumours: Cardiff’s search for a striker, Evans or Derbyshire?

Cardiff’s search for a big money striker has been ongoing since last summer and Chedwyn Evans and Matt Derbyshire are the latest players to be linked with a move to South Wales.

Chedwyn Evans made a real impression playing against Cardiff last season

In what would be one of the signings of the season for Bluebirds fans, Cardiff are looking to capture Ched Evans from under the noses of Celtic who have also shown an interest in the player.

Evans looks to have a £1 -£2 million price tag and would be a bargain at the price, the Wales international seemingly frozen out of the big spending Manchester City side.

Peter Ridsdale today confirmed Cardiff’s interest in the striker telling the Daily Express: “Ched is a player we’re keen on and I know Celtic have an interest in him as well.

“We’ve offered Manchester City two options – a loan and a permanent deal. We’re waiting to hear back on that one and it would be nice to get him here.

“Ched played against us last season for Norwich and scored twice so we’ve been aware of him for some time. He’s a Welsh lad as well and we feel he could be an asset to us.”

Ched Evans’ progress has been stunted by the Abu Dhabi takeover at Manchester City

Cardiff made a move for Evans in the summer, looking for a loan deal for the player, but were denied by Mark Hughes who saw him as part of his first team plans.

But Manchester City’s high profile big spending in the January transfer window and the recent arrival of Craig Bellamy, plus a succession of injuries for Evans has lead to him moving down the pecking order in the Man City ranks.

Matt Derbyshire is also an option for the Bluebirds

Matt Derbyshire is a product of Blackburn's youth system

In a similar situation is Matt Derbyshire at Blackburn, who having established himself as a Premier League striker in 2006-2007 scoring 9 goals under Mark Hughes, has moved down the pecking order under Paul Ince and now new manager Sam Allardyce at Ewood Park.

It seems that Matt Derbyshire is very much second choice in Dave Jones mind but there is no doubt Derbyshire, like Evans, would grace the championship and indeed the premier league if city were to choose the Blackburn man. 

Cardiff look to be playing their cards close to their chest having already lost out on a host of strikers this season.

It started in the summer with City’s audacious attempt to sign Rangers striker Kris Boyd for £3 million, only to miss out due to Boyd’s unwillingness to leave Rangers. Marcus Bent was next, but we all know what happened then.

Michael Chopra was next to be linked to a permanent move to the Bluebirds following his loan spell at the club, but a new manager at parent club Sunderland meant Chops was recalled to warm the bench with Ricky Sbragia insistent he would not be leaving the club.

But now one of either Evans and Derbyshire look set to join the club as Dave Jones and Peter Ridsdale rush to bring in some striking support to Ross McCormack and Jay Bothroyd before the transfer window closes on Monday February 2nd.