Cardiff City: Vincent Tan told to 'steer well clear of' beating Burnley and Millwall in transfer race | OneFootball

Cardiff City have been told they can do better than a cast off from Birmingham City and Charlton Athletic in the summer transfer market...

Cardiff City are a Championship club again, having played at third tier level for the first time since 2002/03 last season in League One - before making light work of the division to achieve promotion at the first time of asking.

Since the Championship's inception in 2004/05, there have been only three seasons out of 23 that Cardiff City have not been involved. That includes 2026/27, with Brian Barry-Murphy looking to consolidate his side well above the danger zone.

They finished second and scored 90 goals in League One, with the most in the division. That doesn't mean that Cardiff can afford to only address the defensive and midfield areas, with their attack still requiring more firepower to ensure safety.

Yousef Salech missed a large chunk of games through injury and managed 40 appearances but only 28 starts by the end of the season. He will need extra support next season, but in spite of the injuries, still managed the most goal involvements (19) and goals (15) in the squad.

The Cardiff City verdict on Lyndon Dykes

Football League World asked our Bluebirds fan pundit Matt Hall for his thoughts on the fact Cardiff have been linked with a move for Lyndon Dykes alongside the likes of Leicester City, Millwall, Burnley, and Middlesbrough.

We asked if he would welcome this signing or if Cardiff should look for a more prolific option behind Salech. He replied: "Yeah, I've seen the links with Lyndon Dykes. It doesn't really attract me in any way, shape, or form, to be honest with you.

"If you were talking when we were last in the Championship, then I think it's the sort of deal we'd be all over. Looking at Yousef Salech and very simply going for a big man, a target man back up.

"But I think there's going to be a little more logic to what we do. We're probably going to be looking at different profiles as well. I do think we'll probably look at ones we can sell on as well.

"I can understand it because, obviously, Callum Robinson is likely to leave. You want someone experienced behind Salech. If you look at someone who, since QPR, hasn't really hit any sort of heights.

"You've then got to ask yourself the question if Birmingham and Charlton are happy for him to leave, then why would we be going for him? Birmingham were mid-table last season.

"If we are looking to be ambitious, why are we looking for somebody else's second or third choice? I think we can do a lot better than that.

"I am a bit surprised by somebody like a Burnley being interested. Same with Middlesbrough. Millwall doesn't quite surprise me so much but it's a player that is very much on a downward trajectory in their career.

"I think we have picked up enough of those over our time and I think that's the sort of transfer we need to steer well clear of."

Honestly, Cardiff supporters should not dismiss the prospect of signing Dykes on a free transfer, particularly if he is brought in as a backup to Salech rather than as the club's main goalscoring option. Freshly promoted sides often benefit from adding players with proven Championship experience, and Dykes certainly fits that description.

He has had several seasons in the division and even scored double figures in 2020/21. His physical presence and ability to occupy defenders could prove to be useful across a demanding campaign, especially when squad depth becomes increasingly important behind a striker who suffered with a bad injury last season.

A free transfer would also minimise the financial risk involved, while a sensible wage package would make the deal even more attractive. However, that might be the snag if there is plenty of interest across the division. That said, Cardiff will need experienced heads if they are to establish themselves in the Championship.

Those players are invaluable and Dykes could provide reliable cover, but also leadership and know-how without placing excessive expectations on his shoulders. Charlton benefitted from it to survive, so why can't Cardiff?