Cardiff City: Omer Riza reacts to Ollie Tanner transfer talk involving Leicester City and Southampton | OneFootball

Cardiff City manager Omer Riza has reacted to transfer claims linking Ollie Tanner to the likes of Leicester, Southampton, Leeds United and Burnley

Cardiff City manager Omer Riza has played down rumours linking Ollie Tanner to a departure from the Welsh capital, with reports having cited Premier League duo Leicester City and Southampton, along with two Championship rivals in Burnley and Leeds United, as suitors for the winger's signature.

The Bluebirds remain intent on sanctioning both incomings and outgoings ahead of the winter window's deadline on February 3.

Thus far, Riza has added just one fresh face to his squad in towering forward Yousef Salech, who opened his account for the club in emphatic fashion during Tuesday evening's 2-2 draw at Millwall after arriving from Sirius in a deal said to be worth in excess of £3 million.

But Riza is keen to make two or three additions before the window is up while confirming a couple of players could depart the Cardiff City Stadium too, with the likes of Jamilu Collins, Kion Etete and perhaps even Yakou Meite all potentially under consideration on that front.

However, one player who seemingly will not be heading out of the exit door is Tanner, despite reported interest in his services.

Cardiff City boss Omer Riza's Ollie Tanner transfer message amid Southampton, Leicester, Leeds claim

A report published by Football Insider on Thursday afternoon had claimed an interest in Tanner from Leeds, Leicester, Southampton and Burnley, all of whom were said to be lining up potential deals for the 22-year-old.

Tanner is now in his third season with Cardiff after signing from non-league outfit Lewes in the summer of 2022, and has steadily progressed into a first-team regular.

He's impressed this season, which was said to have prompted the interest, although it perhaps would have been a surprise to see the exciting wide-man moving that far up the footballing food chain just yet, especially with Cardiff in no rush to sell as he remains under contract until 2027, and Riza has now played down rumours linking Tanner to a switch.

When asked if there was anything concrete in recent reports, Riza told WalesOnline: "No. Ollie's a young lad, he's one of ours and he's doing really well.

"We need him, like we need all the other players in our team, and he's doing well. He's focused on doing his job at Cardiff and that's it, really."

Cardiff City are making the right transfer call with Ollie Tanner

Riza's comments indicate Tanner is not for sale at this moment in time, which feels like the right call for Cardiff. At 22, Tanner is a long-term financial asset for Cardiff with significant future potential resale value, with his potential clearly in little doubt.

Tanner has transitioned into a regular starter under Riza this term, repaying the boss' faith with two goals and two assists from 15 Championship starts - with three of those four direct contributions coming in derby fixtures against Swansea and Bristol City.

He is also the only Cardiff winger right now with the raw and dynamic speed to burn opposition full-backs, so to speak, with a lack of directness, width and speed to City's attacking play a clear issue for much of the season.

Cardiff already need at least one, if not two new wingers in the remainder of the window and simply cannot afford to offload Tanner, meaning most supporters will be rather glad to see the Bluebirds intent on keeping the pacey attacker in south Wales.