Nicky Maynard has barely contributed anything at Cardiff since signing from West Ham.
West Ham have had their fair share of transfer disappointments over the years, but managing to sell one on for a profit is always notable.
The Hammers originally bough Maynard from Bristol City where he had impressed in the Championship, scoring 20 in one season in 2009/10.
It was January 2012 that West Ham snapped him up for £2 million, but were unable to give him the first team chances he would have wanted.
He scored four goals for West Ham in their Championship promotion campaign, yet upon reaching the Premier League, Sam Allardyce chose to sell him for £2.5 million to Cardiff City just months later.
Over two years on, Maynard has done little to suggest West Ham were too ruthless and cut ties too early, for he has also found it tough going in the Welsh capital.
Since signing, Maynard has only scored three goals for the club, one less than he did at West Ham in six months.
He was considered surplus to requirements last season, sent on loan to Wigan Athletic, where he struck four goals in 17 games. This season he has been brought back into the Cardiff squad, but has only scored the once.
Now 27, it is even being discussed by Welsh newspaper WalesOnline that he is likely to told he can find a new club in January.
It’s unlikely Cardiff will get a profit on their £2.5 million, and in Maynard’s case, it looks like West Ham’s quick sale was smart business.
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