Who is Will Vaulks? Cardiff’s ‘marquee’ summer signing who is being linked with Sunderland

Factfile

Age: 26

Nationality: Welsh

Position: Midfielder/right back

Club: Cardiff

How come he’s being linked with Sunderland?

Vaulks made 41 appearances for Rotherham during their Championship relegation season last year.

However, his standout performances saw him rewarded internationally as Ryan Giggs called up Vaulks to the Wales squad. To date, the midfielder has earned five caps.

A combination of decent club performances and international experience persuaded the Bluebirds to part with an undisclosed fee for the Wirral-born player.

But, Vaulks has struggled to nail down regular game time this season - making just nine league appearances.

What did Neil Warnock make of him?

In Vaulks’ own words he ‘got a bit unlucky’ after being beaten 1 v 1 in a match against Reading.

“I got dragged off at half-time, Vaulks explained to Wales online.” I don’t think I made an appearance under Neil Warnock since then.”

Would it be a loan move or a permanent deal?

Well, at the moment, it’s tough to say. However, Vaulks signed a three-year deal with Cardiff earlier this summer.

That suggests Sunderland would likely have to part with a decent fee to land the midfielder on a permanent deal.

This means the Black Cats may opt for a six-month loan move similar to Kaz Sterling and Jimmy Dunne’s last campaign.

Why would Vaulks drop down to League One?

It’s an international tournament year, with Wales set to compete in Euro 2020 in the summer and Vaulks realises he needs to be playing regularly to feature in Giggs’ plans.

He said: “I’ve worked my way up to have a chance of going to the Euros.

“I have to take that. I can’t let it slip.

“I have everything to be playing because I know the gaffer with Wales expects his players to be playing.

“You can see it massively in the teams he picks. More often than not, players are picked who are playing for their clubs.”