Cardiff City boss reveals surprise transfer plan for Sunderland target Roko Simic

Sunderland had been linked with a move for Roko Simic but Cardiff City have pipped them to his signature.

And Erol Bulut, who has described Simic as a "club signing", has confirmed he is poised to be sent on loan to KV Kortrijk. The Black Cats are thought to have held talks with Simic during the summer transfer window with Kristjaan Speakman’s interest in the player following Jack Clarke’s departure very much genuine.

20-year-old Roko Simic was rumoured to be in Sunderland for a medical when the news broke last week That, however, was not true, though the Black Cats reported interest in the Croatian forward was genuine and talks had taken place. Simic didn’t feature at all in Tuesday night’s Champions League qualifier game between Red Bull Salzburg and Dynamo Kyiv.

However, fresh reports in Wales have stated that Simic is bound for Sunderland’s rivals in the Championship Cardiff City. Wales Online reporter Glen Williams states: “Cardiff are closing in on the signing of Roko Simic from RB Salzburg. However, my understanding is that he is set to join KV Kortrijk on loan. Club feel he can solve striker issue and be their main CF, but ideally needs another year of top-flight football.”

And Bulut has now said: "This is a club signing for the future. He will have a loan to Kortrijk. But we still have a little bit of time to get a player in, I hope. But it's not easy. To bring only one in... it has to be the right person. About Roko Simic I cannot speak many things. It’s a club signing so how I know he will get loaned to Kortrijk. Maybe in the future he will be good for Cardiff but for now I cannot say any more."