Crucially, Cardiff held firm when offers arrived for their homegrown stars. Rubin Colwill, Alex Robertson, Cian Ashford, Dylan Lawlor and Ronan Kpakio all had admirers, with one source saying the “phone wouldn’t stop ringing” for some of them.

Lawlor was sought after by clubs all over Europe and in the UK, RB Salzburg, Stoke City and Rangers were all known admirers. Kpakio has had Premier League clubs and Championship sides monitoring his outstanding start to the season. Top Championship outfits have had their eyes on the other three, too.

But each approach, some more serious than offers, was rebuffed.