January transfer window: The business Cardiff, Swansea, Wrexham and Newport could do

Cardiff City manager Erol Bulut, Swansea City manager Luke Williams, Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson and Newport County manager Graham Coughlan

The January transfer window is firmly open for business.

For Wales' four English Football League (EFL) clubs, it represents a prime opportunity to strengthen ahead of the final months of the 2023-24 season.

So what deals are in the pipeline at Cardiff City, Swansea City, Wrexham and Newport County?

Here's a closer look at what the Welsh clubs in the EFL could do in the market this month.

Cardiff City

What has Erol Bulut said?

"I think our owner Vincent Tan knows from our chairman (Mehmet Dalman) what we have to do, because I had talks with our chairman," Bulut said in late December.

"These are only good things for Cardiff City. I am asking for players [who can help] push a little bit more, or stay in the level we are in right now."

Wales forward Kieffer Moore netted 25 goals in his previous spell with Cardiff City

Callum O'Dowda (groin) and Aaron Ramsey (knee) are edging ever closer to returning from injury, although there are still concerns over the fitness of Karlan Grant (hamstring).

Nevertheless, following their 2-1 triumph at Queens Park Rangers, the Bluebirds sit just three points adrift of the play-off places.

And with Cardiff now able to pay fees for players for the first time since the 2022 summer window, fans can feel confident of seeing numerous additions in January.

Wales striker Kieffer Moore has not started a single Premier League game for Bournemouth this season, and he is firmly admired by Bulut.

Cardiff - who are also eager to bolster their wing, midfield and centre-back options - have been heavily linked with Trabzonspor's Anastasios Bakasetas.

Andy Rinomhota and Romaine Sawyers are among those who could leave Cardiff City Stadium before the 11pm deadline on 1 February.

Swansea City

Swansea have appointed Notts County boss Luke Williams as their new head coach, ending a month-long search after sacking Michael Duff.

And top of his list of jobs will be dealing with the January transfer market.

What did predecessor Alan Sheehan say?

"There will be players going out the door in January and there will be players coming in," said the Swans' caretaker boss after the 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion.

"We understand where we need to strengthen - I think everybody sees where we need to strengthen.

"I know there are targets to make the club stronger. I think players will come in, all going well."

Swansea City collected 11 of the 21 points under caretaker boss Alan Sheehan

It is fair to say the squad needs additional pace, particularly in the absence of injured summer signing Josh Ginnelly while Yannick Bolasie only joined on a short-term deal.

Goals are clearly an issue too, with Jerry Yates - a summer capture from Blackpool - being the club's top scorer with just six this term.

Midfielder Liam Walsh is being assessed after being withdrawn during the win over West Brom, and, pending the outcome of checks, may well need replacing.

Bashir Humphreys, Jamal Lowe, Carl Rushworth, Harrison Ashby and Charlie Patino all joined on loan in the summer, but any changes to their situations - potentially the latter two in particular - could trigger further moves.

Left-sided duo Nathanael Ogbeta and Nathan Tjoe-A-On are in need of regular first team action and could join the likes of Cameron Congreve in being mooted for a loan exit.

Wrexham

What has Phil Parkinson said?

"I don't want to make any predictions for January in terms of incoming players," Parkinson said prior to Christmas.

"We've got a strong squad but we're always looking. As our supporters know, we're always striving to improve and we're assessing a lot of situations at the moment but we are keeping our cards close to our chest."

Phil Parkinson's Wrexham side have scored in 50 successive home league matches

Wrexham already possess a squad that is the envy of most League Two clubs, and even some from League One, but Parkinson is always striving for improvement.

Steven Fletcher's return to action following knee surgery has eased the burden on Paul Mullin, although following a failed pursuit of Luke Armstrong in the summer, Parkinson is continuing to assess his forward options.

The spine of the squad is also being monitored, with centre-back and central midfield being areas the club could add to in January.

Given the versatility of stars including James McClean, they appear unlikely to seek cover for Jacob Mendy if he is included in Gambia's squad for the Africa Cup of Nations. The versatile full-back has already linked up with the Scorpions for their pre-tournament training camp in Saudi Arabia.

In terms of outgoings, Billy Waters, Callum McFadzean and Bryce Hosannah could all be in the shop window having been omitted from Wrexham's 22-man squad following the summer transfer window, although they could be drafted back in when the winter market concludes.

Newport County

What has Graham Coughlan said?

"We need to do business, certain areas in our football club need strengthening, we need certain players coming in through the front door," he commented after Newport's 1-1 draw with Sutton United on New Year's Day.

"Whether we can get the players we want is a different story. It's a notoriously difficult window in January but I assume a couple of players will go the other way, we'll just have to see what happens in the next couple of weeks."

Omar Bogle has scored eight goals for Newport County this season

Newport are continuing to wait for Huw Jenkins' takeover of the club to conclude, but deals need to be done at Rodney Parade, and swiftly.

The Exiles have already recalled defender Harrison Bright from his loan stint with Cymru Premier outfit Barry Town United.

But they now have a major issue to solve as Omar Bogle, according to the striker's own Instagram post, is set to be sidelined until March due to a muscle injury.

With Offrande Zanzala still out of action after undergoing knee surgery in April 2023, it's clear that additional firepower is Coughlan's priority.

Coughlan is also likely to be in the market for a central defender and a midfielder.

Will Evans - scorer of 17 goals in all competitions so far this season - could well attract interest, although the 26-year-old is undoubtedly enjoying his role as a key member at Rodney Parade.