Middlesbrough boss Chris Wilder has confirmed Cardiff City are interested in signing Uche Ikpeazu on loan.
WalesOnline reported this week that Cardiff had made contact with Boro on Wednesday morning regarding taking the out-of-favour striker on loan until the end of the season.
The Bluebirds are keen to add to their forward ranks before the closing of the transfer window on Monday and the 26-year-old is a player they are particularly interest in.
Cardiff were keen on Ikpeazu last summer, too, but eventually opted to sign free agent James Collins following the end of his contract at Luton Town.
But Cardiff may well get their man this time around. The Bluebirds are understood to be keen on signing the player on a temporary basis, while Boro are keen to offload him permanently and would prefer a sale.
The Teesside club signed Ikpeazu, who has scored three goals this term, for around £750,000 from Wycombe Wanderers and are looking to recoup as much of that as possible.
We understand, though, a deal will only be struck with Cardiff if Boro allow him to leave on loan. Millwall, West Brom and Hull City are the other clubs thought to be interested.
“There’s been interest from Cardiff,” said Wilder in his press conference on Friday morning. “In fact, there’s been interest from a few Championship clubs.
“It’s for the best for the boy to go and play football, 100 per cent. He’s not involved with us, I’ve made it perfectly clear, so that decision now rests with the boy and his agent.”
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Cardiff recalled Max Watters from his loan at MK Dons, while Collins and Mark Harris have provided back-up for Kieffer Moore this term.
Moore has been the subject of transfer speculation for much of the window, namely from Bournemouth.
Cherries boss Scott Parker confirmed on Thursday he was interested in signing a striker before the deadline but would not be drawn on specific players when asked.
"I wouldn’t want to comment on any club's players," Parker said. "I feel that we need to improve certain areas and attacking areas of the pitch is probably an area we need to look at. These are the positions we are looking at.
"What I can say they're the areas we are looking. I can tell the fans we are trying our hardest and the people in those places, the scouts, the recruitment department, the ownership, we are trying all we can to get bodies in to help us.
"I feel attacking areas is where we probably need some some help now. I think we've been heavily dependent on certain players in our squad and in our team. I think that's evident.
"In the attacking area of the pitch, that is where we are light. And could do with extra support."
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