These are your Cardiff City headlines on Friday, June 10
Ralls offered new deal
Joe Ralls has been offered a new deal to stay at Cardiff, with the club's retained list revealing eight first-team players have been released.
There were few surprises when the Bluebirds published their players list on Friday afternoon, with Leandro Bacuna, Ciaron Brown, Aden Flint, Josh Murphy, Marlon Pack, Alex Smithies, Isaac Vassell and Will Vaulks set to leave the capital when their contracts expire at the end of the month.
Flint, Pack and Smithies had already confirmed they were exiting stage right, but the departure of Vaulks may rankle among certain section of the support base. He has been linked with Sheffield Wednesday in recent days. Murphy, meanwhile, has been mentioned as a target for Sunderland.
READ MORE: Cardiff City announce retained list for next season with glut of senior players leaving the club
Skipper Sean Morrison, still recovering from a serious knee injury, will continue his rehab at the club despite his contract also out.
Bale rubbishes Getafe links
Gareth Bale has rubbished links to Spanish side Getafe.
Stories emerged earlier this week linking the Wales skipper with the Madrid-based outfit when their club president claimed he has been offered the Welshman's services.
Angel Torres told radio journalist Alberto Fernández: “45 minutes ago I spoke with Gareth Bale's representative. They have offered it to us. We have to consider and study it with the Getafe coaching staff and sports management.”
Those links have since been denied by Bale's camp and the 32-year-old went one step further this afternoon at Wales' pre-Belgium press conference.
"I guess whoever I go to it'll be a win-win because hopefully I'll be playing well and getting myself ready. Once these internationals are over, I'll have plenty of time to go on holiday and decide my future then." And when asked if he was on the brink of a decision, Bale responded: "No. But I'm not going to Getafe that's for sure." Read the full story here.
Meanwhile, Newcastle United are now at 9/1 to sign Bale next season - coming in from 14/1 at the start of the week.
Bale's future will continue to be a massive talking point until it is resolved this summer, with a whole host of clubs said to be chasing his signature. It is a move that has been previously backed by former England striker Darren Bent on talkSPORT. He said earlier this year: “That’s a superstar signing they are looking for. I think they (Newcastle fans) would be happy with it.”
The Magpies would certainly be able to compensate Bale better than virtually every other team in the world, such is their newfound riches. Bale's agent, Jonathan Barnett, told WalesOnline last month his client's next move would not be influenced by money.
FAW chief Noel Mooney spoke yesterday of him being in favour of Wales skipper Bale returning closer to home. He told Sky Sports: “He is a very special talent and we are very lucky that he is from Cymru (Wales), he grew up up the road in Whitchurch in Cardiff. His club situation is absolutely up to himself, who he signs for. I hope for him he makes the right decision in lots of ways.
“As long as he’s leading us out in the FIFA World Cup come November, we’ll be happy. We are here at the Cardiff City Stadium, and the FAW is out at the Vale of Glamorgan, which is not so far.
“So from a logistical perspective, and the FAW being selfish about it, if he did come back to this area – or anywhere nearby to be fair – we’d be delighted because we’d see more of him. The more we see of Gareth the better. It doesn’t have to be Cardiff City by the way, but if he does come back to this part of the world we’d be very happy.”
Luthra signs extension
Young goalkeeper Rohan Luthra has penned a contract extension with the Bluebirds. The 20-year-old gained some valuable first-team experience last season when he was named on the bench for the final seven games of the first team's campaign.
The shot-stopper didn't earn any minutes but being in Steve Morison's fold will have been beneficial for the youngster. His contract will run until the summer of 2024.
Under-23s schedule revealed
Darren Purse's under-23s will face matches against Carmarthen Town, Hereford and Chippenham Town next month.
All three games will take place on the road, starting against the Old Gold midway through July. The young Bluebirds then head to Edgar Street to face the bulls before rounding things off at Hardenhuish Park against Chippenham.
The full schedule
- Carmarthen Town vs. Cardiff City U23 - Richmond Park, 15/07/2022, 7:30pm KO.
- Hereford FC vs. Cardiff City U23 - Edgar Street, 24/07/2022, 1pm KO.
- Chippenham Town vs. Cardiff City U23 - Hardenhuish Park, 27/07/2022, 7:30pm.
For a full interview with Purse and City's exciting production line, click here.
