Cardiff City are set for a big summer transfer window as they look to finally push on in the Championship under Erol Bulut.
The Bluebirds are able to spend money in a summer window for the first time since 2022, and boss Bulut signed a new deal in early June, so things are looking bright ahead of next season.
The 49-year-old has already begun to shape his squad for the new campaign, with Romaine Sawyers, Sheyi Ojo, Rohan Luthra and Oliver Denham all set to leave the club upon the expiry of their respective contracts.
More outgoings are likely in the coming months, but Bulut will want to keep hold of his key players in the hope that the club can push for the play-off places in 2024/25.
One player that has been linked with a move away is young midfield star Rubin Colwill, with Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna reportedly among multiple Premier League admirers for his signature.
Cardiff City cannot afford to let Rubin Colwill move to pastures new
Journalist Darren Witcoop broke the news that McKenna is a fan of Colwill’s, but also added that the 22-year-old is unlikely to be on the move this summer.
The Wales international has long been highly-regarded at the Bluebirds, but has suffered injury issues in recent years that have blighted his progress.
FLW’s Cardiff fan pundit Ben Johnsey can understand the interest in Colwill and why he would want the move, but believes that any sale is doubtful and that it would be a mistake by the club if he was allowed to leave.
“I can see why Ipswich would be a favourable move for Colwill, with the way they play and the fact that they’re a Premier League side, though he is from Cardiff and has come through our academy, so I think it would take a lot to prise him away,” Ben told Football League World.
“I’d personally value him at over £10 million, mainly because of the ceiling he has and where he could get to – he’s had a couple of seasons with injuries, but has clearly shown that he is a talented player.
“I think it would be silly for Cardiff to sell him now, because I feel if they give it a year or two you could double his valuation or at least definitely hit that £10, £15 million mark, where a club probably won’t offer more than £5 or £6 million for him at the moment.
“It’s a move that has the potential (to happen), but I can see him staying at Cardiff this year.”
Rubin Colwill should not leave Cardiff City this summer
It is a no-brainer for the Bluebirds to keep Colwill at the club ahead of next season, with the only reason for them to sell being if an over-the-odds bid comes in from a Premier League side.
That seems unlikely though, as while the 22-year-old clearly has the talent to play at the top level, he is yet to truly push on and start fulfilling his potential in his short career so far, due to injuries and a lack of opportunities.
Colwill has been at the club since the age of eight and made his professional debut as an 18-year-old against Coventry City in February 2021 – he has since made 107 appearances for his boyhood club, but never nailed down a consistent starting berth under five different permanent managers.
| Rubin Colwill’s Cardiff City 2023/24 statistics | |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 36 |
| Starts | 14 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Assists | 2 |
| Pass completion % | 79.1% |
| Successful take-ons per 90 | 2.6 |
| Progressive passes per 90 | 4.29 |
| Shot-creating actions per 90 | 3.72 |
| Stats As Per FBref, league games only | |
It is evident by his impressive performances over the last few years for club and country that he has the potential to go on and join a club like Ipswich, or even a top-six club like Arsenal, who he was previously linked to by journalist Paul Abbandonato, but he should stay at Cardiff for now to develop and become a star in the Championship.
Ahead of next season, Bulut should be building his team around a talent like Colwill, so that the club can get the best out of him for the next few years and then look to sell him on for a sizable fee when the time is right.
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