http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/f...-city-13431952
Neil Warnock has refused to rule out adding to his Cardiff City squad once the new season gets underway – but insists he won't be spending big.
And he reckons Championship rivals have piled the pressure on themselves by joining in with the big fees of a summer window that's left him scratching his head.
Warnock – in his 50th year in football – says he was left “flabbergasted” when Trevor Francis became the first £1million player in 1979 let alone now Paris Saint-Germain have obliterated the world transfer record in their £200m swoop for Neymar.
But he says the Championship has been guilty of its own big spending, with Middlesbrough and Wolves in particular having shelled out £10m-plus on new players.
And the veteran Bluebirds boss said: “I was flabbergasted when Terry Francis went for a £1m and thought what on earth was happening. So I don't know how to describe £200m.
“It’s alright saying I wish I had it, but there’s clubs in this league who've spent a lot, spending £50m, and we’ve spent £3m. I’m not sure they haven’t put pressure on themselves by spending that sort of money.”
Warnock, though, is looking to add to his incomings, but will not rush as he waits for the season to get underway and whether he is dealt any further injury blows following the news Kadeem Harris has been ruled out for up to three months; the winger faces an ankle operation on Monday.
“It depends on how we start, the injury situation, there’s loads of things before I actually ask if I can do anything, but I wouldn’t put it beyond bringing somebody in,” Warnock said ahead of Saturday's campaign opener at Burton. “You never know, things might go well and we don’t have to; I’ll leave it in the air.
“There are players available in the next few weeks, but I don’t think we’re looking to bring top drawer money player in, more of a squad player, the sort of money we’d have from Stuart O’Keefe if he went we’d use to bring another in.”
Warnock said there were “two or three” clubs keen on midfielder O'Keefe, who has been linked to Portsmouth , while admitting bids hadn't been enough to move on the likes of Craig Noone and Declan John.
And he added: “I have to be a little bit careful at the moment. Last week when Aron Gunnarsson went down and we had no Loic Damour to bring on and with Greg Halford playing right back it was a little bit thin and it triggered my thoughts.
"I’m not really in a rush – O’Keefe might play in the cup – and there’s nothing sufficient with the others. People are dipping their toes in the water and after a few bad results there will probably be more concrete offers. Two or three have offered a deal but nothing to warrant them going.”
