Here are your Cardiff City headlines for Tuesday, August 2.
Bluebirds admire Spurs striker
Cardiff City are interested in signing Tottenham youngster Kion Etete, WalesOnline understands.
The Bluebirds are in the market for two strikers this summer, with chairman Mehmet Dalman stating the ideal scenario would be to land one on a permanent basis and another, more experienced forward, on loan. You can read more about that here.
READ MORE: Cardiff City keen on young Tottenham striker Kion Etete amid strong Championship interest
And Etete, 20, is a player Cardiff are targeting for a permanent move. The 6ft 4ins frontman, who spent the first half of last season on loan with Northampton Town in League Two and the second half in League One with Cheltenham Town, scored six goals across 30 league games last season.
Spurs decided earlier this summer they would be open to selling Etete after opting against him travelling to South Korea on their pre-season tour. The forward has been described as both physical, owing to his stature, and mobile.
Etete scored 10 goals in 25 Premier League 2 games for Spurs' under-21s side and attracted interest from the Football League last season, prompting moves to the Cobblers and then the Robins. He now has many admirers in the Championship and the Bluebirds would have to fend them off if they were to land his signature.
Swansea City in for Cody Drameh
Swansea attempted to sign Cody Drameh on loan from Leeds United in this window, we understand.
The 20-year-old excelled during his stint with Cardiff City last term, winning the club's Player of the Season award, and recently travelled with the Whites' first team on their pre-season tour of Australia.
However, it's understood the Elland Road side were only willing to sell Drameh, with Swansea unable to meet their valuation of the London-born full-back.
The Swans' former youth coach Cameron Toshack is currently an assistant to Leeds boss Jesse Marsch and is only too aware of Swansea's style of play, although the touted finances ensured a potential deal swiftly came to a firm halt.
Keenan Patten finds new club
Former Cardiff City midfielder Keenan Patten has found a new club.
Patten was included in matchday squads under Neil Harris and Mick McCarthy but never made a first-team appearance. Last season he was on loan at non-League side Hereford FC.
The Bluebirds decided not to offer him a new deal, thinking it best they both parted ways and the player could go off and plot a new path in the game. And, after a trial, the former Wales youth international, 21, has joined National League outfit AFC Fylde.
He said: “It’s been a long pre-season, but I’m happy to be here and happy to sign – I can’t wait to get going now.
“Ever since I’ve come in, the boys have been great with me, the gaffer (James Rowe) has been great with me. I’ve really enjoyed it here so far, and with the ambition of the club, I’m really excited.”
Rowe, meanwhile, said: “Keenan has impressed everyone while being with us in pre-season.
“He understands the transition he needs to make to kick his career on and we are delighted he has chosen us to further his development. We are excited about his future with our club.”
U21s in action tonight
Cardiff City under-21s take on Pontypridd United in tonight's friendly (kick-off 7pm).
The young Bluebirds host Ponty at Leckwith on Tuesday evening following their win over Stoke City at the weekend.
Speaking about the clash, under-21s boss Darren Purse said: “We’ve pencilled in this match with the intention of getting ready for the season. We want to get as many of the lads their 90 minutes building into the season, building up that fitness so that there are no excuses when the season starts in a few weeks’ time.
“That will be the big thing from Tuesday night, is that if we walk away with a clean sheet I’ll be happy. Defensively we need to be a bit more assured at the back.
“It’s not all about the results, but it would be nice to keep the run that we’re on, having been unbeaten since the first game at Carmarthen. We want to continue that, building the confidence within the squad and pushing the young players through.”
Chopra on his FA Cup return
Cardiff City hero Michael Chopra will be back in FA Cup action this month as his new side, West Allotment Celtic, prepare to take on Penrith.
West Allotment Celtic, who play in Forest Hall which is close to Chopra's former club Newcastle United, take on their Northern League Division One rivals in the FA Cup's preliminary round this Saturday.
"It's going to be an eye opener," he told the BBC in a long-ranging interview about gambling. "I'm used to playing in the FA Cup in January - not at the beginning of August."
Asked when he last gambled, Chopra says: "Years ago. You have to take it day by day. This is how I live my life now."
Chopra, 38, says he has lost 10 kilos ahead of joining the Tyneside club.
"I've lost about 10 kilos in about two months," he added. "The first training session, we ran 5km and I was blowing by the end of it."
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