Cardiff City and Swansea City to battle it out for West Brom star Peter Odemwingie
Swans boss Michael Laudrup admits the Nigerian international is a player of interest, while Malky Mackay is also considering a bid
Cardiff City and Swansea City are locked in a battle for West Bromwich Albion forward Peter Odemwingie.
Swansea manager Michael Laudrup revealed his interest in the 32-year-old Nigerian after his side slipped to a 1-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
And Bluebirds boss Malky Mackay is set to do battle with Laudrup for Odemwingie’s signature before the transfer window closes on Monday.
Despite some media reports to the contrary, the Echo understands that City are yet to make an offer for Odemwingie but that they are poised to bid with West Brom wanting £2.5m for the player.
But that might be slightly ambitious given Odemwingie’s age and the fact he has less than 12 months on his current contract.
Mackay has been in the market for a winger all summer – England Under-21 cap Thomas Ince rejected the chance of an £8m move to Cardiff – and the pacy Odemwingie can operate either out wide or through the middle.
Cardiff City's summer of signings and transfer rumours
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Cardiff City's summer of transfer signings and rumours
Ironically, while Mackay is aiming to increase his options in wide areas, Laudrup wants a back-up striker to £12m targetman Wilfried Bony.
Odemwingie – who tried to force through a transfer to Queens Park Rangers in January and was ridiculed as a result – is out of favour at The Hawthorns and has not featured for Steve Clarke’s side this season.
With Albion making it clear there is no way back for him, Odemwingie is desperate to end his three-year stay in the Midlands where he has scored 30 goals in 87 Premier League appearances.
Stoke and Crystal Palace are also interested in Odemwingie, but Laudrup became the first Premier League manager to state his interest.
“We want to add one more who can give us that in a certain part of the game or in certain games,” Laudrup said.
“And he (Odemwingie) is a player with pace who knows the league.”
Laudrup now aims to step up that interest this week – but he could yet be trumped by Mackay in the final days of the transfer window.
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