Cardiff City are said to be interested in signing Rennes full-back Souleyman Doumbia, according to L'Equipe.
The French outlet has today reported that Doumbia, 23, is growing desperately unhappy at the Brittany club, and that Cardiff are interested in bringing him to South Wales.
A left-back by trade, Doumbia has played just the one Ligue 1 game all season. He's made a further two appearances in the Europa League (both coming against Lazio) and two in the Coupe de France, leaving the Ivorian frustrated at his lack of playing time.
Speaking to L'Equipe, Doumbia said:
"I want to leave this winter. It will be a heartbreaking situation, but I have come to an age where I must play.
"I would like to do six good months on loan and then maybe come back or go elsewhere. I would prefer not to leave Rennes permanently, for the moment."
The Ivorian international arrived in France mid-way through last season from Grasshoppers. A highly-sought after left-back at the time who attracted interest from Portuguese giants Porto, his time with Rennes hasn't quite gone to plan yet.
As well as Cardiff, Dutch outfit FC Utrecht are thought to be interested in sealing a loan-deal for Doumbia, and so to are fellow French side Angers.
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Cardiff haven't yet made a signing this window - they've allowed left-back Armand Traore to leave the club, and Neil Etheridge looks set for a move to West Ham, whilst Wigan's Kieffer Moore is a target of Neil Harris'.
The verdict
Doumbia is clearly a player with a talent and at 23, he still has a lot of potential to uncover.
He's had a rough time with Rennes so far and it's surprising that he's showing this much loyalty to the club by wanting only a loan-deal, but whether or not that'll suffice for Cardiff is another question.