Crystal Palace forward emerges as potential Cardiff City transfer target | OneFootball

Cardiff City reportedly identified Crystal Palace's Malcolm Ebiowei as a January target

Crystal Palace's Malcolm Ebiowei has been named on a longlist of transfer targets for Cardiff City, who are looking to conduct business in the January transfer window as Omer Riza bids to retain the side's Championship status come May.

That's according to a recent report from WalesOnline's Bluebirds correspondent Glen Williams, who has revealed that Cardiff have looked at Ebiowei as a potential addition for the remainder of the campaign.

Strengthening the forward line is imperative for Cardiff, as Riza's side have sorely struggled infront of goal this campaign.

Cardiff, who are second from bottom in the Championship after 25 matches, are currently recording an average of just 1.0 goals per game, which is among the worst returns throughout the division.

It's no surprise, then, with the likes of Anwar El Ghazi and Yakou Meite having failed to hit the heights this term, that the Bluebirds are eyeing additional wide options.

Cardiff City's transfer interest in Crystal Palace's Malcolm Ebiowei

Williams' aforementioned report summarised the types of deals which Cardiff are looking to complete this window, with their activity poised to involve utilising the Premier League loan market amid a search to sign at least one new winger.

Ebiowei would fit the criteria, having recently been recalled from an unsuccessful loan stint with relegation rivals Oxford United.

The ex-Derby County prodigy made just four league appearances for the U's before seeing his season-long agreement cut short, after failing to deliver a single goal or an assist.

It's said that Ebiowei was on a long-list of targets identified by Cardiff, though it remains unclear whether that tentative interest is likely to go any further at this moment in time.

Yesterday, Football League World exclusively revealed that the Bluebirds had lodged an enquiry for versatile Peterborough United forward Ricky-Jade Jones, but Williams' report has since added a deal currently appears unlikely to materialise despite asking the question.

Crystal Palace's Malcolm Ebiowei would be an interesting signing for Cardiff City

There are certainly caveats to consider when weighing up a deal for Ebiowei who, after leaving Derby for Crystal Palace following an emphatic first-team breakthrough as a teenager in the summer of 2022, has failed to meet the exhilarating heights of his Pride Park stay.

He's now completed three loan moves away from Selhurst Park without impressing, but at 21, he remains a precocious talent who, at his best, would likely go some way to addressing the fundamental issues which Cardiff are faced with in wide areas.

Once again, it's a Cardiff side which is sorely lacking, for the most part, in pace, directness and creativity, and Ebiowei is a winger who likes to take risks and stand up opposition full-backs.

The ex-Arsenal academy star is - when fully fit and firing - mesmerising in one-v-one situations and possesses much of the natural skill, flair and invention which saw Jaden Philogene thrive at Cardiff while on loan at Aston Villa two seasons ago.