Cardiff City's chances of striking £1.5m summer transfer deal become clearer | OneFootball

Cardiff City are hopeful of signing Nathan Trott permanently following his loan spell from Copenhagen

Cardiff City have successfully clinched promotion from League One back to the Championship at the first time of asking, and must ready their squad for second-tier survival.

The Bluebirds proved their class once again on Saturday by hammering Northampton Town 5-1, thanks to Ollie Tanner's brace and goals from Joel Colwill, Callum Robinson, and Yousef Salech.

Brian Barry-Murphy's men will finish the season on 94 points, and with four successive wins if they beat Mansfield Town on away soil in their final game.

Cardiff will then turn their full attention to the summer transfer market, as they vie to avoid two Championship relegations in just three seasons.

Cardiff City's Nathan Trott transfer plan becomes clear

The Bluebirds' successful League One campaign has been underpinned by the impressive efforts of outfield academy graduates such as Ronan Kpakio and Dylan Lawlor.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Nathan Trott has excelled for Barry-Murphy's side while on loan from Copenhagen, maintaining 16 clean sheets in 41 third-tier appearances.

Cardiff are eager to ensure that they have a capable goalkeeper between the sticks next term, to help them navigate the challenges posed by the Championship.

According to Wales Online, the Bluebirds are hopeful of securing Trott's services on a permanent transfer following his loan spell from the Danish side.

The report adds that the Welsh capital club have an option to activate a £1.5million purchase clause, having won promotion back to the Championship.

Trott was an unused substitute when Cardiff beat Northampton on Saturday, as Barry-Murphy handed Harry Tyrer his Bluebirds debut, but it's clear that he wants the ex-West Ham man as his number one for when they step up a level next year.

Nathan Trott is ready for the challenge of the Championship

Cardiff can bolster their chances of adjusting well to the Championship next term by adding tried-and-tested second-tier quality to their ranks.

Championship experience is not an asset that Trott can offer, but his League One exploits prove that he is more than capable of performing for the Bluebirds next term.

Only Lincoln City's George Wickens and Stevenage star Filip Marschall have maintained more clean sheets in the third tier than the 27-year-old this term.

As per FotMob, Trott boasts an impressive save percentage of 69.9 in League One this season, while he has also been solid in possession, helping Cardiff play out from the back, in keeping with Barry-Murphy's ethos.

The former West Ham United man will likely face more shots in the Championship next season, making his impressive save percentage an ideal quality.

Furthermore, second-tier opponents will be able to put the Bluebirds under more pressure, so his ability in possession will be tested more than it has been this term.

Alongside his successful League One exploits, Trott helped Cardiff reach the EFL Cup quarter-finals, where Barry-Murphy's men made a strong account of themselves in a 3-1 defeat against Premier League outfit Chelsea.

The man currently on loan from Copenhagen featured against the Stamford Bridge club, and will be tested against high-quality opponents once again in the Championship next season.

Trott made 10 Conference League appearances for the Danish side last term, which should instil even more confidence that he can produce the goods in the second tier of the English game.