Championship outfit Cardiff City are not currently targeting a move for Watford forward Andre Gray because of his wage demands, according to a report from Wales Online.
The Jamaican is set to be available on a free transfer this summer after being released by the relegated side at Vicarage Road, with others currently ahead of him in the pecking order at Hertfordshire and new boss Rob Edwards opting to let him go.
Scoring 10 goals in 28 league appearances for Queens Park Rangers last term, he isn't likely to be short of offers in the summer with this goalscoring record and the amount of second-tier experience he has under his belt.
Football Insider believes Cardiff, Birmingham City and Reading are all in the race to recruit him at this stage, with all three likely to be working within limited budgets once again this summer.
But Wales Online have revealed the forward is one player who currently isn't on the Bluebirds' radar at this stage, with Steve Morison's side unlikely to meet his wage demands despite a likely exodus at the Cardiff City Stadium in the coming months.
That may also rule the Royals out of the race with Paul Ince's men needing to work within a business plan they agreed with the EFL last November - a plan that will restrict the amount they will be able to offer the 30-year-old in their potential quest to lure him to the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
The Verdict:
It's no secret that Cardiff are likely to be working within a limited budget this summer even with several players out of contract this summer and Kieffer Moore's move to AFC Bournemouth back in January.
These departures will have helped to balance the books in the Welsh capital and it seems as though that was needed judging by chairman Mehmet Dalman's comments last October with the financial effects of the Covid-19 pandemic taking its toll on the club.
They are in need of a forward though and Gray would be a good addition if they were able to sign him on a modest wage. Similar applies to Reading, who only have two senior strikers in Lucas Joao and George Puscas available at this stage and there are even doubts regarding both of their futures.
This could leave the Berkshire outfit needing a rebuild in this area, but if Cardiff can't afford to sign him, it would be difficult to see the Royals being able to fork out the money needed to win this race.
That could enable Birmingham to assert themselves at favourites in this race, though it remains to be seen whether they will offer the salary needed to bring him in under their current owners, especially with speculation surrounding a potential takeover.