Cardiff City appeared to be in the process of mass clear out as the club have already sold five players since the appointment of Russell Slade as the permanent manager.
More names are expected to follow in the last few days of the transfer window and Slade has given a warning to supporters that the club are no longer in the market for top names. This is widely expected to be the norm at Cardiff for the next few transfer windows given that the club has slipped away from the top six. The sale also appears to hint at Cardiff owner Vincent Tan withdrawing his commitment.
Tan made several changes to the club – including the colour of the shirt – this season and it has been seen as a way to pacify the supporters. Slade, though, reiterated that Tan remains committed to the Cardiff cause as ever.
Defender John Brayfordis reportedly on the verge of joining Sheffield United for around £ 1.5 million. Striker Adam Le Fondre is also expected to depart but on a loan deal. These cost-cutting measures will primarily reduce the wage bill. These exits will also increase the importance of players like Fabio Da Silva and Federico Macheda, who joined Cardiff in the hope of getting back to the Premier League.
“The ambition is still to attempt to try and get into the top six, despite the translation and despite reducing the wage bill.But if we cannot do that, at least we have a long-term strategy going forward in terms of a budget which is sustainable.We are bringing in personnel that we feel will move the club forward in the long term. We are having to shop in a different area. We are not shopping at Harrods now,” said Slade. Machedahas scored three goals in 18 appearances this season.