Bluebirds set to swoop for West Ham’s Ravel Morrison

Ravel Morrison is reportedly top of Cardiff City coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s most-wanted list, with the mercurial midfielder appearing to have already caused a rift between the West Ham United board and boss Sam Allardyce this summer.

Morrison, 21, has just one year left on his contract with the Hammers, meaning the precocious playmaker could be available for as little as £3m.

The Bluebirds, 10/1 second-favourites to win the Championship this term and return straight back to the Premier League, are still looking to strengthen their squad, and may have money to spend following the recent sale of Chile star Gary Medel to Inter Milan.

Solskjaer previously worked with Morrison during his time as Manchester United reserve team coach, when the exciting attacker was tipped to become one of the Red Devils’ finest academy products. The Bluebirds boss, who has thus seen Morrison’s potential first-hand, will be hoping his previous relationship with the starlet can encourage him to switch to the Welsh capital.

Morrison would join fellow ex-United youngsters Mats Moller Daehli, Magnus Wolff Eikrem and Federico Macheda at the Cardiff City Stadium, with Solskjaer seemingly keen to tap into talent honed at his former club. Current Red Devils outcast Wilfried Zaha also pulled on a Bluebirds shirt last season, but the tricky winger was unable to save his loan club from relegation.

Whether West Ham will yet allow Morrison to leave on a permanent basis remains to be seen, with the Hammers hierarchy recently stating: “We don’t agree with that. We would like to sit down and give him a longer contract,” in response to reports that Allardyce wanted to offload the youngster.

Recent alleged off-field incidents may force a decision, though, and convince the east London club to cut their losses.

Despite enjoying a scintillating start for the Hammers last term, netting five times in 18 appearances, Morrison fell down the pecking order and was eventually shipped off on loan to work with Harry Redknapp at QPR.

Morrison shone at Loftus Road, scoring six times to help QPR secure promotion, and has also previously proven his pedigree at Championship level with a temporary stint at Birmingham City.