Cardiff's Euro scouting mission continues as Warnock eyes January additions

Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock plans to continue his European scouting tour as he looks to add at least three players to his squad in the January transfer window.

Warnock spent time in France this week to watch three players during Nantes' League 1 meeting with Marseille. One of those is understood to be striker Emiliano Sala, who has been widely linked with a move to the Bluebirds.

Warnock’s assistants James Rowbery and Ronnie Jepson have also been sent on European forays in a bid to narrow down their January options with both understood to face further scouting missions in the weeks ahead.

“Obviously I’m looking for a right back so that we can think about, you know, we’ve got [Lee] Peltier just coming back so we’ve only got Bruno [Manga] who would have to play centre half and we’re looking for midfield player for if anything happens to Gunners [Aron Gunnarsson].”

Due to restrictions around loan signings from the Premier League Cardiff are limited in bringing in any more than one extra temporary player from England’s top flight.

“Unless we buy them permanently these players we aren’t going to get any more than one loan player so we are looking abroad on loans and permanent deals and we’re also looking at English players, that we’ve not considered, to buy. “

Much of Warnock’s focus though is undoubtedly on securing extra firepower up front after a less-than-fruitful return from his current options, including Kenneth Zohore.

Nantes striker Sala has been caught Cardiff’ attention in recent weeks and has formed a large part of Warnock’s focus for when the transfer window opens next month, as well as the financial planning to fund the suggested £25m price tag placed on him by the French club.

“I like somebody who can score 25 goals if I could, in the next three months.” Warnock joked.

“He’s scored some good goals this year. He didn’t have a very good game the other night but him and the Marseille lad did well as well.

“First of all we’ve got to find the players and then recommend the players to the club then it’s down to the club as to whether they can do any sort of deal.

“Mehmet [Dalman] and Ken [Choo] are working really hard behind the scenes contacting clubs etc when we’ve given them targets but there’s always complications.

“It’s a very difficult time January.”