This article is part of Football League World’s ‘The Verdict‘ series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Cardiff City are reportedly interested in signing Derby County striker Martyn Waghorn, whose contract situation at Pride Park is still up in the air.

Waghorn is out of contract this summer and Football Insider has claimed that the Rams are hoping to agree a new deal with him.

However, it is understood that the Bluebirds are keeping tabs on his situation at Derby and are keen to sign him on a free transfer.

But would it be a good signing? And do they need him?

Our FLW writers share their thoughts...

George Harbey

I think this would be another shrewd bit of business for Cardiff.

They have already brought in James Collins on a free from Luton Town, and with Kieffer Moore likely to attract interest, the signing of Waghorn would make sense.

Waghorn has been so key under Mick McCarthy before, scoring 16 goals and adding 13 assists under him in 2017/18.

He’s since moved to Derby and scored 13 then 12 goals in his first two seasons at Pride Park. He only scored five goals this season, but he’s hit double figures in three of his last four campaigns, which is impressive.

A reunion with McCarthy could be beneficial for him and for Cardiff.

Jacob Potter

I think this would be a smart bit of business by the Bluebirds.

Waghorn has shown his qualities in the Championship over the years, and he played his part in Derby County's second-tier survival this term.

He's a versatile option to have in any team, as he can operate as a centre-forward, or out wide in a team, which is a role he's played for the Rams at times in the 2020/21 season.

Cardiff will be looking to fill the void left by Harry Wilson, who has returned to Liverpool from his loan spell at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Waghorn might not be a like-for-like replacement in terms of his goals and assists record, but he could certainly do a job for Mick McCarthy's side.

You have to trust the Cardiff manager's judgement with this one, as Waghorn is a player that he'll know all about, and he evidently feels as though Waghorn can add something to his team.

With James Collins and Kieffer Moore likely to be leading the line for the Bluebirds next season, Waghorn will have to work hard to force his way into the starting XI in the near future.

Ben Wignall

Mick McCarthy has already bolstered his strike force for next season with the addition of James Collins - does he really need another player in his 30s to add to that?
McCarthy obviously knows Waghorn very well having signed him for Ipswich back in 2017, and it was under the former Ireland manager where he had his best Championship scoring season with 16 goals scored.
Three years is a long time in football though and Waghorn has been unable to replicate that form at Pride Park consistently - his best season being the 2019/20 campaign where he found the back of the net 12 times in the league.
The season that has just been completed was Waghorn's least prolific for a while as he scored just five times - two of those coming on the final day against Sheffield Wednesday - so it would be fair to assume that his talents could be regressing.
I think Waghorn would be a decent fit for some mid-table Championship sides but with Cardiff looking at the play-offs and beyond next season, I just don't think the 31-year-old is needed at the Bluebirds.