Cardiff City look to have seen off serious competition to sign Liverpool’s Marko Grujic, who was Neil Warnock’s number one target in the window.

The midfielder had been interesting several clubs, including Championship rivals Middlesbrough and Aston Villa, yet according to Wales Online, he will join the Welsh club instead.

The 21-year old Serbian is highly-regarded at Anfield and has even been dubbed the ‘new Nemanja Matic’, given his physicality and ability on the ball.

As well as interest from the Championship duo, Brighton, West Ham and Galatasaray were also hoping to bring the midfielder in.

However, Liverpool often insist on penalty payments to be paid if a player they loan out doesn’t play and the fact he is joining Cardiff suggests he will become an integral part of their promotion push.

The Bluebirds have been short of options in midfield, particularly with Aron Gunnarsson out injured, and the versatile Callum Paterson played in a central role against Sunderland last time out in the league.

Grujic himself will be hoping to impress in order to make the Serbian squad for the World Cup in the summer.

The Verdict

What a signing this will be for Cardiff! You just have to look at the calibre of clubs that wanted to take Grujic to see how much he is rated in the game.

He has the physicality to easily cope with the demands of the Championship and will bring a composure and quality on the ball that is often missing from Cardiff.

After a miserable festive period, Warnock knew he needed reinforcements and this is a real coup for the club.

Thoughts, Cardiff fans? Let us know in the comments below.