City players in contract negotiations

Last updated : 20 June 2008 By Michael Morris
The club say they are keen to keep hold of their talented players with discussions regarding possible extended contracts starting this week. Ridsdale is thought to have met with all the players including Glenn Loovens, Roger Johnson, Paul Parry and Kevin McNaughton. The final player, Peter Whittingham was due to open his negotiations in the last 24 hours.

Whittingham has been the subject of interest from Nottingham Forest while Ipswich Town are still thought to be tracking Roger Johnson even though they have just signed a new centre half.

"I am confident we can reach agreement with the players I have met and am meeting this week," said Ridsdale.

"They each said they enjoy playing for Dave Jones and Cardiff City. That's a good place to start and we have moved forward from there.

"If anybody cannot reach agreement, though, we do reserve the right to keep any player at the club through next season on their current contract terms."

So far Cardiff City have agreed new contracts with Riccy Scimeca, Darcy Blake and keeper Peter Enckleman. City have made an offer to Robbie Fowler and have brought in two new players. Tom Heaton, a keeper on a season long loan from Man Utd, a Miguel Commingues, a full back from Swindon Town.

Dave Jones is looking for strikers with Kris Boyd of Rangers his top target. Man City's Ched Evans and Michael Chopra are still being linked with City interest.

The club are not looking to sell anymore players after the departure of Aaron Ramsey. That's great news if Joe Ledley can be kept at Cardiff City. Peter Ridsdale did not rule out more players going but it does appear that we are not as desperate to sell as we have been in the past.

"I am delighted at the way our squad has developed," said Ridsdale.

"It is a good situation when everybody else seems to covet your players.

"We remain a club who must sell to compete in the Championship. That hasn't changed.

"But having sold Aaron Ramsey to Arsenal, there is no requirement to sell anybody else.

"If there is an offer for any player then we would judge at that stage if it was at a level where we could re-invest in new players and make the squad stronger still.

"We've had bids for three of our players, each of them turned down.

"The bids are clearly nowhere near the level where I believe we ought to put it to the manager.

"In an ideal world we'll hang on to everybody. But, if it makes us stronger by selling, then we will do, but only if the price is right and the manager thinks it's right."