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Erol Bulut: Cardiff City's January transfer business restricted by EFL, says boss
Image source, Getty Images
Manager Erol Bulut says financial constraints heavily restricted Cardiff City's business during the January transfer window.
Nat Phillips, Famara Diedhiou, Josh Wilson-Esbrand, Ethan Horvath and David Turnbull all joined the Bluebirds in the final days of the winter market.
But some fans criticised the Championship club's transfer activity.
"We have to speak a little bit differently about transfers generally," said Bulut.
"I follow a little bit of social media and my guys bring me news about social media.
"Some are complaining about Diedhiou, that we could have done a 'better one'.
"We can't forget the limits of the EFL and what we can spend.
"I was working for the last two months like crazy with my team to watch players and get good players in.
"You can only do with what budget you have. When the EFL says we only have 拢10 to spend we have to use 拢10 and not 拢35.
"We're also discussing it with the board who are working hard on it to open the limit for us to get some transfers.
"Some fans who are writing on social media don't understand this well. It's not so easy."
The Bluebirds were able to pay fees for players during the January window for the first time since 2022, having previously been under a transfer embargo for defaulting on payment of the transfer fee for the late Emiliano Sala.
Their transfer ban was reduced from three windows to two last summer.
It meant they were able to spend money to bring in midfielder Turnbull from Celtic and goalkeeper Horvath from Nottingham Forest on deadline day.
The Bluebirds also explored the option of re-signing striker Kieffer Moore from Bournemouth, although the Wales forward joined Championship rivals Ipswich Town on loan.
But Bulut hopes Diedhiou can reignite his career during his loan spell at Cardiff City Stadium.
"Famara played in the Championship and scored 56 goals in four years. His statistics are good," added Bulut.
"He wants to show himself and to say 'I'm here' again and to push with us in the Championship.
"In the Turkish S眉per Lig he scored 16 goals, which isn't easy.
"The last season in Granada was maybe not so good, but it is not an easy league. But now he has the possibility to show that he can score goals again for us."