Salech 'happy' at Cardiff despite transfer links

Striker Yousef Salech says he is happy at Cardiff City – despite speculation linking him with a move away – and targeting an instant return to the Championship.

Salech, 23, has impressed since joining the Bluebirds for a fee believed to be between £3m and £4m in January, scoring nine goals as they were relegated last season.

Championship clubs are reportedly interested in signing the 6ft 5in centre-forward, who still has four years left on his contract.

With new head coach, Brian Barry-Murphy, in charge of Cardiff, Salech believes the Welsh club can win promotion from League One.

"I'm really happy at Cardiff. It obviously wasn't long ago I joined, and I've enjoyed every part of it so far," he said.

"I don't speak to any clubs personally but, if the club does or an agent does, that's their job. I'm just coming into training every day and trying to improve and do my best for the team.

"Obviously as a striker you want to score goals and help the team win games. Especially now that we went down a division. Obviously the goal for the whole club is to get back up and to do it the best way possible."

Cardiff have had something of a clearout following their relegation last season, with 11 senior players departing during the summer.

However, they have been able to hold on to several first-team players, albeit with still a month to go until the transfer window shuts.

Barry-Murphy has been assured there is no financial need to make further sales.

"I think the support and clarity from the ownership of Vincent [Tan] has been really clear," said the former Leicester City and Manchester City coach.

"The players that leave the club will be on our terms. Players that we accept leave for reasons that benefit us and anybody who we want to keep stays here.

"Yousef, as an example, has been exceptional in pre-season. From the first week of pre-season he's shown really high level of performance and we believe there's a lot of things that he can improve to take him to a different level."

Cardiff have yet to make a signing this summer but are reportedly keen on signing Copenhagen goalkeeper Nathan Trott on loan.

Asked about that potential transfer, Barry-Murphy said: "I think until everything is absolutely done I think it's very dangerous to presume things have got to happen.

"But I think the line that is important is that we are absolutely looking to improve all areas of the team with real quality and hopefully there will be something in before the weekend."