It would be a mid-table finish for Cardiff City in the Championship this term, which means they’ll be playing in the second tier for the sixth consecutive season when everything kicks off in August.
Their 12th place finish was a substantial improvement on their 21st place the season prior, yet fans were probably still left wanting more. There were signs of hope for the future but still finishing eleven points off of the play-offs emphasises the fact that further improvements are needed.
With some strong sides gaining promotion this year and what looks to be some weaker teams dropping down from the top flight, the Championship could well be wide open next term. The Bluebirds will be hoping that as a result of that, they’ll be able to progress further next season and potentially steal a play-off berth.
If they want to do just that, then improvements are needed this summer and they could be in for a fairly busy window. Although they are still yet to release their full retained list, quite a few names can be expected to be moving on from the Cardiff City Stadium this summer. In turn, there should also be some new signings arriving in Wales and it seems as if the club want to get the ball rolling early.
According to Sky Sports News reporter Anthony Joseph, the Bluebirds have joined the race for Brighton midfielder Marc Leonard. The 22-year-old would enjoy a fine season out on loan in League One with Northampton Town, starting every single third tier game and providing five goals and six assists in the league.
As a result he looks worthy of a step-up and he doesn’t exactly seem to be in Brighton’s future plans. He may well be allowed to leave the Sussex side on a permanent deal this summer and Cardiff could be the potential landing spot.
They are however not the only side to have expressed an interest in the youngster, with newly-promoted side Oxford United as well as the ambitious Wrexham also supposedly monitoring the midfielder according to the same report.
His experience out on loan with Northampton will no doubt have aided his progression, and further progress will be expected next term if he was to move to the Championship.
Writer’s View
Leonard has been a real standout for Northampton this season and the fact that he’d start every single game emphasises his quality. He’s extremely highly thought of and has now proven himself in the senior game which only makes him even more attractive to potential suitors.
Although he may not be an instant starter for the Bluebirds, you’d expect him to challenge for a place in the starting lineup as the season progresses and he could truly thrive in the Championship. It’s unknown what sort of fee that Brighton will want for him but Transfermarkt currently value him at around the £400,000 mark.
It’s a signing that Cardiff need to greatly consider if they want to challenge further up the table next term, and Leonard is certainly one to keep an eye on.
