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Glen Williams

Cardiff City transfer news as former loan man's fate looks sealed and Bluebirds await double transfer decision

Here are your Cardiff City headlines for Wednesday, May 18.

Cardiff resigned to losing out on Giles

Cardiff City appear resigned to the fact that Ryan Giles will not return for another spell in south Wales as this stand, with Wolves eyeing a Premier League loan move for him.

The 22-year-old made a big impression during his time in the Welsh capital during the first half of last season. He registered nine assists in 21 games for the Bluebirds, a tally which was not usurped despite the winger not playing the back half of the campaign.

READ MORE : Cardiff's stance on Charlie Austin as second striker linked

Steve Morison, who played with Giles at Shrewsbury back in 2019, wanted the player back in January, but was unprepared to gamble and wait until the final day of the window to see if they could get their man. Instead, Morison opted for Stoke City's Alfie Doughty, who had a solid loan stint himself, although admittedly he did not reach the heights of Giles.

It is only natural, then, that Cardiff would sound out Wolves and the player over his next steps. Giles spent the second half of last season on loan at Blackburn Rovers, however he was not utilised nearly as much as he was when he was with Cardiff, turning out just 11 times and starting only eight games.

But from his early-season form at Cardiff, it is not inconceivable that Giles would want to test himself in the top tier and, at 22, Wolves will likely want to see if he can cut it at the very top. WalesOnline has been told that is the case, with Bruno Lage's preference being to see Giles go on loan in the Premier League next term.

Cardiff will be after at least one player to occupy that left-back/wing-back role next season, with Joel Bagan currently the only senior option on the left-hand side of defence.

Club await response from midfield duo

Cardiff City are still awaiting decisions from Bristol City's Callum O'Dowda and Reading midfielder Josh Laurent.

O'Dowda, 27, was named on the Robins' released list this week and reports subsequently followed detailing as many as seven clubs were chasing his signature. Birmingham City are one, according to reports in the Midlands, and we understand Cardiff are another.

The Bluebirds have held talks and await the player's decision, however competition for his signature is expected to be fierce. Cardiff want to add wide players in order to be able to adapt the way they play, having no real recognised wingers, other than Gavin Whyte, in the current squad.

Laurent, also 27, is another whose situation is very similar to that of O'Dowda's. He has a lot of interest and Cardiff have made their position known to central midfielder.

Steve Morison knows the player once again from playing together at Shrewsbury and is looking to add players in that middle age range of around 24-28. Cardiff's two other signings, Ebou Adams (26) and Jak Alnwick (28) fall into that bracket.

With Marlon Pack, Leandro Bacuna, Will Vaulks and Sam Bowen all expected to leave, and Joe Ralls' contract still not yet signed, Cardiff need some serious bolstering in the middle of the park.

Youngster poised for new deal

Young goalkeeper Rohan Luthra is poised to sign a new deal at Cardiff City, according to reports.

The 20-year-old, who was signed from Crystal Palace last summer, featured on the bench for the Bluebirds in the final seven games of the season, with the club announcing Alex Smithies would depart next month.

Dillon Phillips then took the gloves, with Luthra taking his spot among the replacements.

Now, according to Sky Sports, Cardiff are poised to offer him a new contract with the club. The England youth international made history during the Reading-Cardiff game last month when he became the first goalkeeper of south Asian heritage to be named on the bench in the top two divisions of English football.

Luthra will, of course, face stiff competition in the form of Phillips and new signing Jak Alnwick, who has joined from St Mirren this week. However, fellow youth international George Ratcliffe is out of contract at the club this summer.

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