Championship clubs must make ex-Cardiff City man January target

With 11 Championship clubs having failed to score more than 16 goals in their opening 15 outings, there’s room for strengthening in attack for a number of clubs. And there could be a ready-made solution in 1. FC Nurnberg wing wizard Guido Burgstaller.

The 27-year-old had a taste of life in English football with Cardiff City in 2014-15, but despite netting on his Bluebirds debut, the Austrian never got a real chance in the first-team – something the South Wales outfit are no doubt regretting now.

Since arriving at Nurnberg in Summer 2015, the versatile Austrian has shone – chalking up 11 assists in all competitions last season, as well as netting double-figures in 2.Bundesliga.

Equally adept on the right and left-flank as well as in a centre-forward role, the former Rapid Vienna man has been in blistering form so far this season, with eight goals in his first 10 league games.

Unsurprisingly, that form has attracted interest on these shores. Southampton were reportedly scouting the player back in April, before snapping up Nathan Redmond for £11.5m instead. But that decision means Burgstaller could now be available at a snip of that price.

With less than a year left on his contract with Der Ruhmreiche, Transfermarkt.co.uk estimate the Austria international’s market value at £1.7m.

That means that any interested clubs should act now, before a potential free-transfer – and continued impressive displays – grow the Villach native’s list of suitors.

And with the player believed to be stalling over a new deal at Nurnberg, there’s plenty of reason to think he’d be keen to return to his unfinished business in the Football League – especially with a side better-equipped for promotion than his current mid-table employers.

Nurnberg head to Erzgebirge Aue on Friday night, with Burgstaller looking to guide the visitors to a third away win in four at 6/5.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing