West Brom 'lock horns' with Cardiff City as Sheffield Wednesday 'hopeful' of pulling off transfer

West Bromwich Albion reportedly have concrete interest in signing Fenerbahce striker Mehmet Umut Nayir this January, with the Turkey international frustrated by a lack of game time. Cardiff City are also very keen, however, and appear to have the upper hand due to several factors.

Nayir has struggled since moving to 28-time Turkish champions Fenerbahce, appearing just six times in Süper Lig this campaign, with every minute coming off the bench. The same can be said in the UEFA Europa Conference League, too, with just five substitute appearances managed.

The 30-year-old was prolific last season, though, as he scored 17 league goals in 31 games for Ümraniyespor. Quite the journeyman across his home nation, Nayir has played for nine different Turkish teams, scoring 112 times in 307 matches. He also has four senior international caps and one goal.

BBC Sport reports Cardiff have made an official approach to Fenerbahce for Nayir, whereas West Brom - albeit interested - are yet to make contact. The Bluebirds have the advantage in that sense and are boosted too by the fact manager Erol Bulut formerly managed Fenerbahce.

The ball is already rolling for a striking spot to be opened up at Cardiff, too, with Ike Ugbo set to see his loan terminated by parent club Troyes. Our sister publication, The Star, claims Sheffield Wednesday are hopeful they can sign Ugbo on a six-month loan.

As a result, if West Brom want to sign Nayir, who would cost less than £1 million, they will have to lock horns with Cardiff urgently. Opportunities to acquire clinical strikers on the cheap don't come around too often, after all.