Post by Sooz on Jan 30, 2007 7:46:42 GMT -1
CARDIFF CITY are locked in a four-way battle to sign Dutch hotshot Cecilio Lopes as the clock ticks down to the closure of the transfer window.
Bluebirds boss Dave Jones wants to bring in up to three more players ahead of tomorrow night's deadline to help strengthen Cardiff's push for the Premiership.
As well as a defender to help cover the possible six-week absence of skipper Darren Purse, Jones wants another striker to increase competition for places up front.
And it is understood they are keen on landing 27-year-old Lopes, who has been in red-hot scoring form for Dutch second division side Dordrecht.
But City face stiff competition for his signature as Premiership strugglers Watford and Championship rivals Derby County and Barnsley are also on the trail of former PSV Eindhoven trainee Lopes.
Despite the lure of instant top-flight football at Vicarage Road, Derby are understood to be leading the chase for Lopes given they are in pole position to secure a Premiership place for next season in respect of their current position at the top of the Championship.
It has been speculated that the first club to offer £200,000 for Lopes would be successful in signing him.
But Cardiff, who have already spent in the region of £400,000 this month securing the services of midfielder Peter Whittingham and striker Jason Byrne, could possibly land Lopes for much less than that since there is apparently a clause in his contract allowing him to leave for just £49,000.
The Rotterdam-born forward, who will be a free agent at the end of the season, has been a huge hit for Dordrecht this season, firing in an impressive 20 goals in just 25 games so far.
As a youngster, Lopes spent 12 months with PSV before joining Rotterdam side Excelsior.
April 2005 saw him sign a two-year contract with Dordrecht and he quickly established himself as the club's best player, leading to interest not just from British clubs but also the Dutch first division.
Cardiff want to add to a stable of strikers that already includes Michael Chopra, hat-trick hero against Leicester at the weekend; Steve Thompson; Kevin Campbell; Luigi Glombard; and Andrea Ferretti, as well as new recruit Byrne.
"Competition for places is what we need," Jones said. "We're working to strengthen the squad and I hope we can bring in one or two more players before the window shuts."
Bluebirds boss Dave Jones wants to bring in up to three more players ahead of tomorrow night's deadline to help strengthen Cardiff's push for the Premiership.
As well as a defender to help cover the possible six-week absence of skipper Darren Purse, Jones wants another striker to increase competition for places up front.
And it is understood they are keen on landing 27-year-old Lopes, who has been in red-hot scoring form for Dutch second division side Dordrecht.
But City face stiff competition for his signature as Premiership strugglers Watford and Championship rivals Derby County and Barnsley are also on the trail of former PSV Eindhoven trainee Lopes.
Despite the lure of instant top-flight football at Vicarage Road, Derby are understood to be leading the chase for Lopes given they are in pole position to secure a Premiership place for next season in respect of their current position at the top of the Championship.
It has been speculated that the first club to offer £200,000 for Lopes would be successful in signing him.
But Cardiff, who have already spent in the region of £400,000 this month securing the services of midfielder Peter Whittingham and striker Jason Byrne, could possibly land Lopes for much less than that since there is apparently a clause in his contract allowing him to leave for just £49,000.
The Rotterdam-born forward, who will be a free agent at the end of the season, has been a huge hit for Dordrecht this season, firing in an impressive 20 goals in just 25 games so far.
As a youngster, Lopes spent 12 months with PSV before joining Rotterdam side Excelsior.
April 2005 saw him sign a two-year contract with Dordrecht and he quickly established himself as the club's best player, leading to interest not just from British clubs but also the Dutch first division.
Cardiff want to add to a stable of strikers that already includes Michael Chopra, hat-trick hero against Leicester at the weekend; Steve Thompson; Kevin Campbell; Luigi Glombard; and Andrea Ferretti, as well as new recruit Byrne.
"Competition for places is what we need," Jones said. "We're working to strengthen the squad and I hope we can bring in one or two more players before the window shuts."