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Glen Williams

Cardiff City transfer news as club's stance on striker revealed with move imminent and ex-boss lifts lid on Rangers visit

Here are your Cardiff City headlines for Friday, June 9.

Pompey out of striker running

Portsmouth are not in the running to sign Cardiff-linked striker Ruben Rodrigues, according to the Portsmouth News.

Football Insider reported that Cardiff, Derby County, Portsmouth, Barnsley and Oxford United are all interested in Rodrigues, 26, after contributing to 34 goals for the Magpies as they achieved promotion into League Two.

Rodrigues scored 19 goals and provided 15 assists for the Meadow Lane outfit - he has scored 35 league goals across two seasons for County - but is out of contract at the end of the month, prompting glances from teams higher up in the football pyramid.

Indeed, WalesOnline understands that the forward is someone Cardiff are aware of and they have watched the striker play. However he is not considered an active target at this stage.

The News report that Pompey did make enquiries about Rodrigues, but a move to Fratton Park is not on the cards. The report adds that his likely next destination is League One and his next club will be announced soon.

Pre-season game announced

Cardiff fans have their first fixture of next season pencilled into the diaries after the club announced they will play Wycombe Wanderers in Joe Jacobson's testimonial on July 29.

Jacobson is a Cardiff boy and was a Bluebirds fan as a kid and both clubs have decided to play at Adams Park to mark the occasion, which the left-back is hugely proud of.

“It’s a real privilege for me to be given the opportunity to celebrate my time at Wycombe Wanderers with a testimonial and I’m over the moon that Cardiff City have agreed to play a special part in it," Jacobson said.

“I’m a Cardiff boy, born and bred, and it was a source of huge pride for me and my family to play for the club right at the start of my career. I’ve loved every minute of my time at Wycombe so far and to bring my two favourite clubs together for this game will be an incredible occasion that I’ll always cherish.

“I’d like to thank the board and everyone at Wycombe Wanderers for granting me this testimonial game, and Cardiff City for agreeing to provide the opposition.”

Lamouchi: I'm happy for the opportunity

Sabri Lamouchi has once again spoken fondly of his time in Cardiff City.

He managed to keep the club in the Championship, but it was decided by the club that he would not be kept on next season. Cardiff have since appointed Erol Bulut.

Speaking about the Champions League final between Manchester City and Inter Milan on Saturday, Lamouchi was asked by Sport Italia if he enjoyed his time at Cardiff.

He replied: “Yes, I'm happy for the opportunity I had. I discovered a beautiful reality and I had the opportunity to play for safety and to reach it. A good experience."

Being a former Inter player, of course, he said he is rooting for the Italian club this weekend, believing they have the qualities to hurt Pep Guardiola's side.

"To be honest, I wouldn't have expected Inter to be in the Champions League final, especially after the draw for the group stage," he added.

"The Nerazzurri have made an extraordinary journey and now I think they have every chance of making it. Inter have all the qualities to hurt Manchester City, and the right style of play to face Guardiola.”

Hudson's Rangers trip

Former Cardiff City manager Mark Hudson is continuing his learning experience as he searches for his next job.

Hudson was let go by Cardiff in January, having been given his first permanent job in senior management, following a period of more than two months without a win.

He has been out of the game since, but revealed he is still keeping his hand in, having recently visited Rangers to get an insight into how Michael Beale's operation is run in Glasgow.

"I’ve spent time at Rangers on a study visit with Mick Beale. It’s so interesting to see different ways of going about your week as a manager," Hudson told MailOnline.

"I’ve learned how you need to be adaptable tactically and mentally and to create a team that will fight for you, each other and the fans."

A video of Hudson telling his children he had been let go by Cardiff went viral shortly after leaving the Welsh capital. He said the reaction from that helped him heal quicker.

"A lot of what goes on in a managers’ life is crazy and this shone a light on it… one minute you’re celebrating and the next you’re packing up to move house.

"Hopefully we will get another job and go on another journey together and we will do this again. It all changes so quickly. We go through the highs and lows together as a family."

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