THERE were mixed fortunes for Cardiff City and Swansea City in what turned out to be an uneventful end to the January transfer window.
Cardiff were in the hunt for a striker, but were ultimately disappointed. One of their rumoured targets, Bristol Rovers striker Matty Taylor, signed for arch rivals Bristol City rather than crossing the Severn Bridge.
Cardiff then reportedly turned their attention to Aston Villa’s Ross McCormack. But McCormack, who played for Cardiff from 2008-10, is rumoured to be undergoing a medical at Nottingham Forest.
Cardiff did sign a striker earlier in the window. But at 20 years old, Ibrahim Meite, previously of Harrow, is only likely to feature for the development team.
While they struggled to improve their squad up front, Cardiff did bring in Rotherham United centre back Greg Halford for an undisclosed fee. The club also improved their options in goal by bringing in Allan McGregor on loan from Hull, where former Cardiff keeper David Marshall is currently first choice keeper.
Six players left Cardiff permanently during this transfer window, as manager Neil Warnock took the opportunity to clean house. Strikers Marouane Chamakh, Lex Immers and midfielder Kieron Richardson were all released, while defender Tom James signed for Yeovil Town on a free transfer. Striker Eli Phipps and midfielder Tommy O’Sullivan both signed for Colchester United for undisclosed fees.
A further six Cardiff players left on loan. Midfielders Matty Kennedy, Stuart O’Keefe and Emyr Huws joined Plymouth Argyle, MK Dons and Ipswich respectively. Defender Semi Ajayi joined Rotherham and goalkeeper Ben Wilson joined Rochdale. Striker Adam le Fondre was recalled from his unproductive loan spell at Wigan, to be quickly loaned out to Bolton Wanderers.
While Cardiff will be disappointed to have missed out on the striker they wanted, they will be pleased with the signing of Greg Halford, considering the injury suffered by Bruno Manga in the African Cup of Nations.
Meanwhile, further down the M4, struggling Swansea City brought in four players. Winger Luciano Narsingh arrived from PSV Eindhoven in a £4million deal. Left back Martin Olsson joined from Norwich City and midfielder Tom Carroll signed from Tottenham Hotspur for undisclosed fees, while Aston Villa’s Jordan Ayew joined in a swap deal that saw Welsh left back Neil Taylor go the other way, leaving Swansea with no Welsh first team players.
Winger Ryan Hedges was the only other Swansea player to permanently leave the Liberty Stadium, joining Barnsley for an undisclosed fee.
Four Swansea players left on loan deals. Striker Marvin Emnes joined Blackburn Rovers, wingers Modou Barrow and Owain Jones joined Leeds United and Yeovil respectively, while midfielder Tom Holland joined AFC Fylde.
Luciano Narsingh has 16 caps for Holland, and surely represents value for money. As a former Swansea loanee, Tom Carroll is a known quantity at the Liberty, while experienced Swedish international Martin Olsson has already looked like a decent signing. While some fans will surely be sad to see Welsh international Taylor leave, Jordan Ayew offers excitement and pace, which is something Swansea have been lacking in attack.
