Cardiff City are currently keeping a close eye on Brighton's Andi Zeqiri and The New Saints' talisman Declan McManus as they look to strengthen their forward area during the summer, as per a report from Wales Online.

Spending the majority of the season in the Bundesliga with Augsburg, he has recorded two goals and two assists in 22 appearances, though he will be looking to have a more fruitful season next term as he prepares to return to the Amex Stadium.

With Aaron Connolly also being loaned out by officials on the south coast in January, Zeqiri could be deemed surplus to requirements once again and with this, could present the Bluebirds with an opportunity to recruit the 22-year-old.

An alternative target could be McManus who currently plies his trade in the top tier of Welsh football, scoring 31 goals in 38 appearances in all competitions during the 2021/22 campaign with six of these coming in the Europa League qualifying rounds.

He seems destined for a move elsewhere in the summer - and Cardiff could potentially target a move for both considering two of their loanees in Jordan Hugill and Uche Ikpeazu have returned to their respective loan clubs.

Isaac Vassell's contract also expires this summer, leaving Steve Morison with a major void to fill up top and he could turn to these two targets in the second-tier side's quest to record an improved finish next season.

The Verdict:

McManus is a signing they should seriously be considering because of his goalscoring record - but you just feel he would benefit from being alongside an experienced and proven goalscoring forward who has already performed well in the Championship.

That should help to take pressure off the former Scotland youth international to produce, something that could help him to thrive because he won't exactly be accustomed to the pressures of the English second tier.

The Bluebirds may have finished low down the table - but their supporters will be hoping and perhaps expecting a better season next term and this is why there will be quite a bit of pressure on the players' shoulders.

For Cardiff's sake as well, they need a proven player alongside someone like McManus who has never played in the second tier of English football if they want to give themselves the very best chance of climbing the table.

Zeqiri isn't exactly a proven player at this level, although he has played regularly in the Bundesliga in recent times and you would certainly back him to improve his goal tally from 2021/22.