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Every year, the suggestion is that Cardiff will do things differently in the transfer market this time round. A new approach or a different form of analysis, but the reality is that there is only ever the odd tweak. Nothing significant, but their approach for Jens Hjertø-Dahl felt truly different. This was a player with a lot of hype, throughout Europe. A 20-year-old, box-to-box powerhouse that would transform the Cardiff midfield and capture the imagination of supporters. This is the sort of transfer that other clubs do, not Cardiff. A significant outlay would be required, a high seven-figure sum, but the expectation is that his value is set to increase, so it would represent an investment in the future. Now it should be said that we don’t know how invested Cardiff actually were in this player and never will. Maybe they were way down the line on a deal, or maybe they only ever made a speculative enquiry and it was in turn used to flush out other interest. The problem is that once you get linked with that sort of deal and fans feel that you may have that sort of budget to play with, it sets a benchmark for the remainder of the transfer window. Embed from Getty ImagesThe reality is that the Championship is changing and has changed a fair bit since Cardiff departed it a year ago. The sort of money associated with the Hjertø-Dahl move is no longer uncommon. If anything, it is fast becoming the going rate for outstanding talent at this level. Wrexham and Birmingham have both distorted the market by going up from League One and immediately sinking £30m+ into their squads, and neither got promoted. Both are substantially backed by American investors and most of their revenue comes from the US, so in that respect they remain outliers. When Cardiff are linked with a player like Hjertø-Dahl, rightly or wrongly, it always feels like they are being manipulated. It never feels like they have identified a special talent, more that they’re at the mercy of agents because the structure appears to be unfit for a club of this standing, at this level. The fact that they haven’t since gone after an equivalent calibre of player with a comparable value seems to support this assumption. The signing of Krystian Bielik was initially well received because he was viewed as a versatile, experienced, necessary addition for this level, akin to a deluxe Greg Halford, but that changed when it became apparent that he was essentially the alternative to Hjertø-Dahl. This is unfortunate for Bielik because he remains both versatile and experienced, but he does not represent the change in transfer market strategy that was previously hinted towards. Were he a free transfer or a loan signing, he would also be viewed more favourably, but investing a decent fee on a player with a significant injury history and no resale value instead feels like old school Cardiff. Hjertø-Dahl may continue to cast a shadow over Cardiff’s transfer window, but that’s a shame because the additions of Jack Moylan and Calum Scanlon have already had a positive effect. Both are high intensity players and have given the team an injection of energy. Moylan is a smart operator and has raised the football IQ of the Cardiff attack, while Scanlon looks to have benefitted from last year’s loan spell and is set to give Joel Bagan a real fight for that left back berth. Two or three more of this standard are required in the final few days of the transfer window. Embed from Getty ImagesThe initial faith in Brian Barry-Murphy’s perceived patient approach to the market has given way to accusations that he’s not being adequately supported by those responsible for sealing deals, but its another one of those things that we’ll never really have a clear reading of. Despite everything, Cardiff do usually get there in the end and I have faith that they will bring in the required reinforcements. What do Cardiff want to be though? That is the question we all ultimately want an answer to. What would represent success this season? Safety, mid-table or a promotion push? With an eighth-place finish now enough to make the revamped play-offs, the opportunity for success in this division has never been greater, but Cardiff do not move like a club with their eyes on the prize. As much as many may not want to admit it, eyes are always glancing across to Swansea and they have been bullish in the market this year, spending £20m+ and their actions speak louder than words. They’re going for it and who can blame them, but ultimately, you can only spend what you can afford. In Barry-Murphy, Cardiff have stumbled across a once in a generation manager that we all trust. If he rates Bielik, that’s recommendation enough for us. Cardiff’s pursuit of Hjertø-Dahl should be applauded, but targets of this quality will need to be the norm if they are to succeed at this level and match their manager’s ambition. Landing players of this calibre is the next step and no more than Barry-Murphy deserves.