Rabbi Matondo is on the brink of joining Stoke City.
The former Cardiff City academy star is understood to have agreed terms on a six-month loan with te Potters, having spent nearly two years at Bundesliga side Schalke.
Matondo arrived in Germany as one of Welsh football's brightest young prospects, having previously made a positive impression on academy chiefs at former club Manchester City, who poached the winger from the Bluebirds when he was just 15.
The Wales international then hit the headlines after news emerged that he was officially the fastest player on the books at the Etihad, outpacing even Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane.
However, the 20-year-old is believed to still have a great affinity with his home city, and many Cardiff fans, having seen their team turn in some poor performances in recent weeks, believe the winger would have helped strengthen City's attacking options.
Reacting to the news on social media, one fan said: "This was literally a free hit for Cardiff. He’s a local lad who loves the club, and we’d be able to help his progression whilst bringing an injection of pace we desperately need. Shame us fans see what the board never does!"
Our own fan columnist Scott Johnson described a move as an "open goal".
For what it's worth, there's little evidence of Cardiff showing any interest in the winger, with the club understood to be targeting a striker and a right-back in this window.
A deal taking Matondo to the Potteries is likely to be confirmed in the next 24 hours.
