Turkish media explodes with Cardiff City transfer news as new players linked and big Bakasetas update given.

The Bluebirds are making the news over in Turkey - Three players linked!

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Cardiff City's January transfer window is hitting the headlines over in Turkey.

Given Erol Bulut, who made his name in management in Turkish football after a distinguised playing career which took in some of the country's top clubs, is Bluebirds boss, it's easy to see just why there is such interest over there.

In the lead-up to the winter window, Bulut himself admitted he would be using his contacts in Turkey, Germany and Greece in order to supplement his squad - just as he did with the signings of Greek duo Manolis Siopis and Dimitrios Goutas, both of whom have been crucial cogs in the wheel this season, in the summer - and if reports are to be believed, the Bluebirds boss is actively recruiting from his old stomping ground in the Super Lig.

In recent days, new names have been linked and a number of updates regarding the long-standing pursuit of Greece captain Anastasios Bakasetas have been issued. Sign up to our daily Cardiff City newsletter here.

Here, we take a look at what's been said in the last 48 hours...

Umut Nayir linked
Fenerbahce striker Umut Nayir is the latest Turkish player to be linked with a move to the Welsh capital.


Wales striker Kieffer Moore is considered the Bluebirds' No.1 target in this window, but it is an area of such concern that Bulut is lining up more than one target for that position.

The Cardiff manager said that he would have an option "B, C and D" in this window in the eventuality that Moore stays at Bournemouth or opts for a move elsewhere.

And now media Sports Digitale's renowned transfer journalist Yağız Sabuncuoğlu claims Cardiff and West Brom are monitoring the Turkey international in this window.

Nayir scored 17 goals in 31 Super Lig appearances last year while on loan at Ümraniyespor from Eyüpspor, a run of form which led to him earning a call-up to the national team last year. His one goal in his four appearances actually came against Wales out in Samsunspor last summer during Turkey's 2-0 win.

He earned a move to Fenerbahce in the summer but has played 12 times for the Turkish giants without scoring a goal. It would seem he could be on his way out this month.



Enis Bardhi thrown into mix
Erol Bulut is also keen to address the lack of creativity which appears to be stifling City's attacking play this season, particularly given the injury to Aaron Ramsey which has kept him out for far longer than anyone initially anticipated.

And reports in Turkey and North Macedonia have linked Cardiff to Trabzonspor midfielder Enis Bardhi, who appears to be out of favour at Trabzonspor.

He's not started a Super Lig game since October 23 and rumours in Turkey suggest he could be on his way out this month. And North Macedonian press, via Time Balkan, report Bulut is keen on Bardhi and has indeed already made contact with Trabzonspor regarding a potential transfer. Like Bakasetas, Bardhi is another former team-mate of Manolis Siopis.


German side Union Berlin have also been heavily linked with the playmaker, who can also play on the left wing. He transferred to Trabzon after five successful seasons with Spanish side Levante.

The North Macedonia international has scored nine goals and provided two assists in 57 matches for Trabzonspor, where he has a contract until June 2025.

Siopis 'trying to convince' Bakasetas
The Anastasios Bakasetas merry-go-round continues to hurtle at full speed this month.

Earlier this week it was claimed that Besiktas had agreed a deal to sign the 30-year-old playmaker, however, Beyaz Football editor Mehmet Batuhan Ağır later posted that he had spoken with Trabzonspor president Ertuğrul Doğan and he denied such a deal was in place.

Agir wrote: "I asked: 'President, is the news true?' He said, 'There is no such situation.'