What Brian Barry-Murphy has said to Cardiff City's Dylan Lawlor as Bayern Munich eye transfer raid | OneFootball

The Bluebirds manager has made his case for Lawlor to remain in South Wales

Cardiff City head coach Brian Barry-Murphy has urged teenage defender Dylan Lawlor to prioritise regular football amid growing transfer interest from elite clubs across Europe.

Barry-Murphy affirmed his stance in a Boxing Day interview to BBC Sport.

The 19-year-old centre-back has enjoyed a rapid rise this season, becoming a cornerstone of Cardiff’s League One title push while also breaking into the senior Wales side.

With Premier League clubs monitoring his progress and reports linking Bayern Munich to a potential move, Barry-Murphy has been clear: development, not prestige, should come first.

Cardiff boss delivers clear message amid Dylan Lawlor transfer speculation

Lawlor’s breakthrough campaign has been one of the standout stories of the League One season.

After making just two senior appearances last term, the academy graduate has featured 22 times in all competitions for the Bluebirds, helping them establish a three-point lead at the top of the League One table at the time of writing.

His performances have not gone unnoticed beyond South Wales.

The Wales international has earned three senior caps since making his debut in September, and has reportedly attracted interest from several Premier League clubs, as well as Bayern Munich, with Vincent Kompany’s Bundesliga leaders said to be tracking his progress courtesy of a tip-off from ex-Burnley assistant and current Wales boss Craig Bellamy.

Despite the speculation, Barry-Murphy believes Lawlor’s current environment is perfectly suited to his development.

“He loves playing for the club. I think the biggest thing that we can give him is an opportunity to play first-team football,” said the former Manchester City Under-21s coach.

“Some of these young players go to clubs like you're referencing and obviously go on different journeys. That means they don't play for the first team for a prolonged period.”

Barry-Murphy highlighted the importance of daily learning and exposure to senior professionals, pointing to Lawlor’s defensive partners as key influences.

“The biggest thing we can give him is working every single day on the things that he needs to improve the most – and he gets a chance to play alongside Calum Chambers, Will Fish, Gabriel Osho, all those guys.

“That’s brilliant for him in the time of his career when it’s so important to play.”

Lawlor recently signed a new three-year contract in August, tying him to Cardiff until the summer of 2028.

Barry-Murphy admitted the deal was as much about protecting the club’s interests as recognising the defender’s potential:

“His talent is going to be a very valuable asset, so I think from a business point of view it makes sense to secure him on as long a contract as possible.”

Why Cardiff remains the ideal platform for Lawlor’s development

The Bluebirds' 1-0 win over Exeter City offered a snapshot of why Lawlor’s stock continues to rise. Defensively assured throughout, the teenager also produced the decisive moment, clipping a perfectly weighted long ball over the defence for Alex Robertson to score the winner.

“The skill level from Dylan to find the pass to Alex was perfect,” Barry-Murphy added.

“I thought he defended really well today. The biggest thing of Dylan’s learning is to go up against all those strikers and different teams that provide different tests.”

For Lawlor, Cardiff currently offer something many elite clubs cannot: certainty. Regular minutes, responsibility and a clear pathway have accelerated his progress far quicker than a move to a European powerhouse might.

There is also the international dimension to consider. With Wales manager Craig Bellamy closely monitoring his development, consistent club football with Cardiff could be decisive in cementing Lawlor’s place in future international squads.

Interest from Bayern Munich and Premier League sides underlines Lawlor’s ceiling, but Barry-Murphy’s stance reflects a growing recognition in player development: the right move matters more than the biggest badge.