Cardiff City have paid Nantes FC the first instalment of the transfer fee for Emiliano Sala, WalesOnline has learned.
In August 2022, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rejected Cardiff's appeal over paying the initial money owed to the French club and the Bluebirds were placed under a three-window transfer embargo.
However, it is now understood that Cardiff have paid the first instalment of the £15m transfer fee, which was initially £5.3m but has risen to around £7m due to interest, and expect FIFA to lift their ban on signings.
READ MORE: Cardiff City hit with transfer embargo ahead of January window
Cardiff have also written to the EFL, who have placed a separate embargo on them, asking for their sanctions to be lifted and hope to hear back on that front soon.
The Welsh capital city club have appealed the CAS hearing to a Swiss Federal Court, which is expected to give its verdict in the coming weeks.
Neil Warnock, who was Bluebirds manager at the time of Sala's death, always believed the Argentine forward would provide Cardiff with the goals to remain in the Premier League. However, four years on, Cardiff are near the bottom of the Championship and are facing a battle for survival.
It is understood the Bluebirds are ready to do business in this window in order to strengthen Mark Hudson's squad further, after a huge overhaul of playing staff last summer, to ensure their Championship status is consolidated for at least another year.
Sources insist transfer targets have already be drawn up in preparation for the embargoes to be lifted.
READ NEXT
Gareth Bale announces immediate retirement from all football at the age of 33
'They really scared Leeds!' MOTD pundits gush over Cardiff City but highlight 'criminal' moment
