Exciting Cardiff City summer target set to sign for Champions League club

Cardiff City summer target Chidera Ejuke is set to sign for Belgian champions Royal Antwerp, reports in his native Nigeria say.

The 25-year-old Super Eagles dazzler was high on the Bluebirds’ radar in a move some felt would have been almost as exciting as the capture of Aaron Ramsey.

However, Cardiff’s bold bid to pull off the transfer was hit by suggestions Ejuke was also talking to a Champions League club.

That side is Antwerp, who won the Belgian league and cup double last season. Ejuke is reported to have had a medical over the weekend with a view to joining on a season’s loan.

The wing flier, who has suspended his contract with CSKA Moscow, spent last season with Hertha Berlin in Germany and became a wanted man again this summer.

Ejuke’s representatives held talks with the Bluebirds and he was excited by the ambition being shown at Wales’ capital city club. He considered a move into the Championship with a view to potentially attracting Premier League interest.

However, discussions stalled and instead Ejuke has advanced a move into the Belgian League, subject to the medical.

The news will not surprise Cardiff boss Erol Bulut, who had conceded defeat over Ejuke a while back and set his sights on fresh targets.

The Bluebirds are keen to bring Wales striker Kieffer Moore back to Cardiff City Stadium, while Bulut wants a new midfielder and a centre back to push DImitrios Goutas and Mark McGuinness. He may also be eyeing goalkeeper as a position he can strengthen if a suitable opportunity arises.

Cardiff kick off the new Championship season against Leeds United at Elland Road next Sunday and Bulut said he expects newcomers through the door.

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, who has Dominic Solanke as first choice centre-forward, responded when asked about Cardiff’s interest in bringing Moore back on a season’s loan: “I think probably it’s not the area where we prioritise.

“We have other needs before the number nine area, let’s say. But we cannot guarantee anything because there is a lot of time, there is a lot of days remaining in the market.

“But I’m happy with his performance, how he’s training.”