Cardiff City face battle to keep hold of rising talent as top clubs show interest

Wales Online

23-05-2025

Cardiff City face battle to keep hold of rising talent as top clubs show interest
The Bluebirds player is wanted by a number of clubs and is also drawing eyes on the international scene
Dylan Lawlor of Cardiff City
(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency )
Cardiff City are braced for a battle to keep hold of prized academy asset Dylan Lawlor this summer.
The Bluebirds defender has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign this year, starring for the club's under-21s and earning huge praise for his performance against a vaunted Aston Villa frontline including Marcus Rashford, Ollie Watkins and Marco Asensio in the FA Cup.
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There's also a strong argument to say he was the best player in a blue shirt when he came on against Norwich City on the final day of the season.
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And his form and performances have not gone unnoticed. Cardiff sources say a European club have shown real interest in the 19-year-old, while a major Premier League outfit and a top Scottish club have also enquired about the player. Join the Cardiff City breaking news and top stories WhatsApp community
The teenager, who has captained Wales at age-grade level, is understood to be a sought-after talent owing to not only his defensive ability, but the class and composure he shows in possession which is an asset all top clubs now want from their centre-backs.
Cardiff believe Lawlor is one of the best defensive talents they've had in their academy for decades, drawing comparisons with the likes of Danny Gabbidon from those in the know. Indeed, even some first-team players expect him to play a big part next season if Cardiff manage to keep hold of him.
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Were it not for such a disastrous season for Cardiff's first team, the player would likely have had far more senior appearances to his name than the two he already has.
Lawlor does have a contract until 2026, however that potentially leaves Cardiff in something of a vulnerable position. If the teenager doesn't sign a new deal, they risk losing him for only compensation money next year.
Lawlor is not only sought after on the club scene, but internationally, too. The ball-playing centre-back has a big admirer in the form of Craig Bellamy, who has selected him as one of five Cardiff youngsters for the warm-weather training camp out in Spain over this past week.
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However, Wales also appear to have a job to keep Lawlor on their hands, with the Republic of Ireland also having sought assurances over his heritage. Indeed, it is understood Lawlor does qualify for the Emerald Isle through Irish heritage.
While Bellamy will doubtless have all his focus on the upcoming World Cup qualifying campaign, there is clearly shift towards the head coach wanting to bring through new talent as is evidenced by the sheer number of youngsters called up to this training camp. Whether any of them get a cap in the coming games will be an intriguing sub-plot to keep an eye on.
It's been a long and arduous campaign for many of Wales' senior stars and whether they will all be involved in the Liechtenstein game on June 6, with the Belgium encounter just three days later, or whether Bellamy will potentially use that first match at Cardiff City Stadium to cap a few youngsters off the bench remains to be seen.
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Indeed, just this week it was reported that Manchester United striker, and fellow Bluebirds academy graduate, Gabriele Biancheri has been invited to the Canadian national team's next camp, with the teenager also eligible for Italy. Sign up to our daily Cardiff City newsletter here.
Cardiff will be keeping a close eye on proceedings out in Spain, with Cian Ashford, Luey Giles, Ronan Kpakio and Tanatswa Nyakuhwa joining Lawlor with the senior players on camp.
While all are capped at youth level, a strong showing in Spain might just see them force their way into contention for the upcoming fixtures in a fortnight's time.