Who Cardiff City's most valuable players actually are as Erol Bulut makes feelings clear

Cardiff City’s season seems to be heading towards another mid-table finish and attention is switching to the summer transfer window.

EFL clubs often combat financial struggles with securing loan deals, while they also sign youngsters cheaply in the hope of netting the benefits with future sales.

Manager Erol Bulut's contract is up in three games' time, so he will have limited input on the future of many of the club's players as things stand. But he did say that it would be wise to cash in on some whose market values are high at the moment, although he added the caveat that it would be a board decision on which offers are accepted. You can read more about that here.

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Leading the Bluebirds’ young talent is centre-back Mark McGuinness, who starred for Bulut’s men before picking up a hamstring injury in February.

McGuinness, who joined from Arsenal in 2021, signed a new four-year contract in 2023. Transfermarkt put his market value at almost £4million, up almost one million since last year.

The 2022/23 player of the season, Perry Ng, has been a fan favourite since joining the club from Crewe Alexandria in 2021 and this season signed a contract keeping him in south Wales until 2026. Sign up to our Cardiff City newsletter here.

Ng, Cardiff’s joint top scorer this season, has recently courted interest from clubs ahead of the summer window, with manager Bulut saying this week: “I know already some clubs are interested in him.

“Maybe the club will get extra calls regarding Ng. In my opinion, he played a great season, six goals and four assists. For a right-back, that’s good.

“Of course the Premier League is a different calibre. He knows this – I spoke with him a few times about that but I think he can play there.”

Another player Bulut thought would bring money in if he were to be sold is defensive midfielder Ryan Wintle, who has risen up the leagues and is now a key member of Cardiff’s squad. Still just 26, Wintle brings significant experience with almost 300 EFL appearances and has signed a contract until 2026.

Wintle remains one of Cardiff’s most valuable players at over £3million, yet the Bluebirds will want to keep him if they are to push up the table next term.

Lastly, Bulut thought Rubin Colwill was one of the most valuable assets within the club's ranks and few would argue with that. However, Transfermarkt has him valued at only £856,000. We are on terra firma saying the club wouldn't countenance a deal anywhere near that number and it would have to be way, way further north for him to be allowed to leave.

One notable feature of Cardiff’s squad is the poor form of their strikers, with on-loan forward Karlan Grant their joint top-scorer with just six league goals.

The most valuable permanent striker is Callum Robinson at £1.88million, yet Bulut knows they will need a new number nine if they are to make the play-offs next year.

Cardiff’s accounts make their cash injections from owner Vincent Tan very clear and it seems unclear how this will change. If the club decide to cash in on their talent then the financial future may look very different to the challenge that currently faces them.

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Every Cardiff City player’s transfer value

Kieron Evans £86,000

Ollie Denham £128,000

Eli King £257,000

Ebou Adams £342,000

Joel Bagan £342,000

Jak Alnwick £428,000

Ryotaro Tsunoda £471,000

Romaine Sawyers £513,000

Ollie Tanner £599,000

Isaak Davies £685,000

Jamilu Collins £770,000

Rubin Colwill £856,000

Sheyi Ojo £856,000

Andy Rinomhata £856,000

Aaron Ramsey £1.03million

Joe Ralls £1.03million

Mahlon Romeo £1.03million

Kion Etete £1.03million

Ethan Horvath £1.28million

Yakou Meité £1.28million

Callum O’Dowda £1.54million

Callum Robinson £1.88million

Dimitrios Goutas £2.40million

Manolis Siopis £2.74million

Perry Ng £3.25million

David Turnbull £3.25million

Ryan Wintle £3.25million

Mark McGuinness £3.85million

(According to Transfermarkt)