Could Dutch international Pieters be heading back to the Premier League with Cardiff City from Stoke City?
Cardiff City have been linked with a whole host of right-backs in recent weeks, but it seems they are keen to sign a left-sided defender, too.
According to the Sun (live blog, 11.35am), the Bluebirds are weighing up a move for Stoke City’s long-serving Dutchman Erik Pieters before the January transfer window slams shut later on today.
The 30-year-old defender has made 21 Championship starts this season and has a wealth of Premier League experience too. Should he move to South Wales, he would be able to compete with Joe Bennett and Greg Cunningham for a place in Cardiff’s starting XI.
And Pieters’ tough-tackling, full-blooded approach means he’d fit in well under Neil Warnock. Furthermore, his long throws could be a big weapon for a Cardiff side who are heavily reliant on set-pieces.
This comes just two days after the Mirror claimed that Nottingham Forest were keen to sign the former 18-time Netherlands international, who joined Stoke six years ago from PSV Eindhoven for £3 million (BBC).
On paper, Forest are perhaps in greater need of a left-back than Cardiff after missing out on the Bournemouth bench-warmer Tyrone Mings.
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