Cardiff City and Millwall eye transfer for player that West Brom previously chased | OneFootball

Yanis Issoufou could be on his way to the English second tier before Tuesday's deadline

Cardiff City and Millwall have reportedly joined the race to sign Montpellier winger Yanis Issoufou.

West Bromwich Albion had previously shown an interest in the 19-year-old this summer, but their focus has since shifted towards other areas of the squad.

According to Sky Sports' Lyall Thomas and Ali Silk, both Millwall and Cardiff are now looking at Issoufou as they consider their options ahead of the final stages of the transfer window.

The France youth international has made an encouraging start to the Ligue 2 campaign, scoring once in four appearances for Montpellier, and his availability has attracted attention from clubs in England.

Cardiff City and Millwall target Yanis Issoufou after West Brom crash out of transfer race

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Issoufou is a product of the Montpellier academy, having joined the club from Nimes in 2022 before signing his first professional contract a year later.

The forward made his first-team debut in October 2023, coming off the bench in a 2-0 Ligue 1 defeat to Nantes.

He was just 16 years and 359 days old at the time, making him Montpellier's youngest-ever debutant in France's top flight.

His development has continued since then, and he now appears to be attracting serious interest from the Championship.

The environment at either potential destination would be markedly different. Cardiff are adjusting to life in the second tier after winning promotion from League One last season.

Brian Barry-Murphy is still building a squad capable of handling the demands of Championship football.

Millwall, by contrast, have spent successive seasons knocking on the door of the Premier League and are expected to be pushing towards promotion again this campaign.

A move to The Den could therefore place Issoufou in a more immediately competitive environment - while Cardiff may offer him the chance to develop alongside a club still finding its feet at this level.

Cardiff City’s transfer plans ahead of Tuesday deadline

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Barry-Murphy has made no secret of his desire to strengthen further before Tuesday's 11pm deadline.

Speaking after Cardiff's 2-2 draw with Sheffield United on Saturday, the manager said he was confident more deals could happen before the window closes.

"I feel confident [more deals will happen]," Barry-Murphy said. "We've been pretty consistent, we want to improve the squad."

Issoufou could be a realistic alternative to Amario Cozier-Duberry, who is being pursued by seven clubs, including Cardiff, ahead of the deadlin, with the Bluebirds desperately chasing more wide options ahead of deadlone day.

Issoufou would represent a youthful addition to a Cardiff attack that has already been strengthened this summer, although the club's interest is yet to develop into a confirmed bid.

The Bluebirds currently sit 13th in the Championship after three matches, having drawn all three of their league fixtures, and will be looking to add to a squad already capable of competing comfortably in the second tier.

West Brom turn attention away from Issoufou

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West Brom's interest in Issoufou now appears to have cooled, despite the Baggies previously considering a move for the Montpellier attacker.

The club have instead prioritised strengthening at centre-back, with their defensive options reduced following Bielik's move to Cardiff earlier this week.

James Morrison remarked he was ‘hopeful’ of a good end to the transfer window, ahead of this weekend’s fixtures.

West Brom currently have Nat Phillips, Chris Mepham and captain George Campbell as their senior centre-back options, while summer arrival Carter Pinnington is viewed as a development player at present.