This report (if true) feels like a case of the player's agent pissing off Cardiff by demanding too much on personal terms.

If Cardiff and Nice had a deal, that is the only possibility.

I'm happy if the club are sticking to a wage structure that is affordable and avoids squad friction.

And maybe Warnock decided this lad was not enough of an upgrade on Loic Damour (who earned some credit against the Gills) to justify what he demanded?

Or it could just be that their bluff was called and the agent will be backtracking tomorrow (if the other suitors don't play along).