Cardiff nearing move for West Brom's Bielik

Cardiff City are reportedly nearing a deal to sign centre-back Krystian Bielik from Championship rivals West Bromwich Albion on a permanent basis. The 28-year-old featured in 17 Championship matches for the Baggies last season as the club finished 21st, narrowly staying up in the second tier.

Bielik began his career at Arsenal after moving from Legia Warsaw in 2015, and has since had loan spells at Birmingham City, Walsall, Charlton Athletic and Derby County before signing for West Brom last summer.

Should the move go through, Bielik would become Cardiff's fourth signing of the summer, joining goalkeeper Nathan Trott, midfielder Jack Moylan and left-back Calum Scanlon, who returned to the club on loan from Liverpool.

The Poland international would provide much-needed cover for Cardiff, who currently have no fit senior centre-back available. Will Fish, Dylan Lawlor, Calum Chambers and Gabriel Osho are all sidelined through injury, though Osho is reportedly nearing a return.

On Tuesday night, Cardiff fielded 15-year-old defender Noah Anyadike, who became the youngest player in EFL Cup history, during a 2-1 second-round defeat to Norwich City.

If finalised in time, Bielik could make his Cardiff debut this Saturday when the club host Chris Wilder's Sheffield United.