Stansfield interest as Cardiff step up search for a striker

Image source, Getty Images

Cardiff City are stepping up their search to boost their striking options.

And they have shown tentative interest in Fulham鈥檚 England Under-21 striker Jay Stansfield.

The 21-year-old is on the Bluebirds鈥 radar after scoring 12 league goals on loan at Birmingham City in the Championship last term.

But it is reported Birmingham have opened talks to re-sign the Tiverton-born player on a permanent deal.

It also remains to be seen whether Fulham want to include the Exeter City academy product in their Premier League squad.

Cardiff are currently on a training camp in Austria, having yesterday chalked up a 3-0 win over Hamburger SV before taking on South African outfit Mamelodi Sundowns, on Tuesday.

The Bluebirds are still in the hunt for Manchester City midfielder Alex Robertson, who is also wanted by Portsmouth after helping them to promotion from League One last season.

Cardiff would dearly like to add at least one new signing to their tour squad in Austria this week.

They have signed former QPR forward Chris Willock and ex-Aston Villa defender Calum Chambers so far but a striker is a known priority for the club.

It is possible the club could go for two frontmen. Cardiff's need is obvious, given their joint top scorers last season were defender Perry Ng, Karlan Grant and Kion Etete, who mustered six each.