Graeme Jones is not ruling out a Luton return for Isaac Vassell despite hinting that Cardiff have used their financial muscle to move ahead of them in the transfer market for the Birmingham striker.
At the weekend, the Town manager had confirmed he was interested in the City forward – who left Kenilworth Road for the second city two years ago – though he admitted the situation was ‘complicated’.
Swansea have also been interested but it appears their Welsh rivals are closest to a deal, while Birmingham boss Pep Clotet last night suggesting Vassell was on his way out of St Andrews.
Asked today if a move for the 25-year-old was now dead, Jones said: “You never know in football. Cardiff have financially gone out on a limb for him and that’s obviously how it is.
“He’s obviously someone we like as a player because we know him really well at the club. He’s got that pace and penetration that we’re looking for.
“There are other players out there, we just need to see if we can get down that list. You never know in football.”
Vassell has only played 24 times for Birmingham since his move from Luton in 2017 and that’s because he suffered a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury weeks after the switch.
Asked if his injury record had been a concern, Jones added: “Yeah, and if he does go to Cardiff that’s Cardiff’s problem now. It’s something you’re always concerned with. I think he did his cruciate and had another operation, I think it was his thigh, so he ends up spending the best part of 18 months out.
“I think he’s trained in pre-season but there’s nothing like a player in the grove who’s robust that they’re going to come in and hit the ground running.
“By all reports he’s a top character and good professional so I’m sure he’ll be fine wherever he goes.”
