Cardiff City are increasingly confident in signing Nathan Trott on a permanent basis after reports hinted the club were looking at alternatives.
The 27-year-old, who is on loan from Danish giants FC Copenhagen, has been tipped for a full-time return to South Wales following the end of the season, with a £1.5 million option to buy in his contract with Brian Barry-Murphy’s side.
Tipsbladet had reported last week that the Bluebirds had activated that option for the Bermudian international, but that the goalkeeper had rejected the offer in view of moving elsewhere or fighting to regain his first-choice spot at his parent club.
Optimism Growing In Cardiff
Further developments came yesterday in a report from Football League World, which stated that Cardiff were looking at Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Pierce Charles, who could be one of the first faces to leave Hillsborough this summer upon their relegation to League One.
The Northern Ireland international is also subject to interest from Queens Park Rangers, meaning that City will have to battle it out with other Championship rivals to secure the services of the 20-year-old.
However, according to Wales Online, attention has now shifted back to Trott and there is growing confidence that a deal can be struck with the loanee, who has been one of the third tier’s best when it comes to save percentages and clean sheets.
Across 41 league appearances since signing in August, the ex-West Ham United academy prospect has kept 16 clean sheets, putting him behind George Wickens and Filip Marschall in the Golden Glove chase.
Since Brian Barry-Murphy’s arrival in Cardiff, there has been a major shakeup in the goalkeeping ranks with Jak Alnwick and Ethan Horvath both allowed to leave in January to move to Huddersfield Town and New York Red Bulls, respectively.
Harry Tyrer was brought in permanently to support Trott from Everton, and the former Blackpool loanee finally made his Bluebirds debut over the weekend in their demolition of already-relegated Northampton Town.
Familiarity Is Deciding Factor
Pierce Charles’ efforts for Sheffield Wednesday has rightfully earned him suitors, but now in another twist, Cardiff City may be backing away from pursuing the 20-year-old and putting their sights back on Nathan Trott.
A key part of Cardiff’s promotion this season, the former AFC Wimbledon man has been a great distributor of the ball, something which has been crucial to Brian Barry-Murphy since his arrival from Manchester City last summer.
Despite the past week looking like the club may miss out on signing their first-choice target, it seems that a reassessment has gone on and they are now well on course to striking a £1.5 million deal with Copenhagen.
Signing a new option does come with the risk of some early-season mistakes, which could prove pivotal in Cardiff City’s hopes to remain in the second tier, so sticking with the familiarity of Trott will guarantee that the man between the sticks is up to speed come the first game in August.
