Cardiff City Tipped for Bold Sunderland Raid – Barry-Murphy Link Could Seal Surprise Transfer

Cardiff City’s newly appointed head coach, Brian Barry-Murphy, is being urged to target Sunderland winger Ian Poveda as part of his League One rebuild. Following Sunderland’s promotion to the Premier League, Poveda looks increasingly likely to be deemed surplus to requirements at the Stadium of Light. The Colombia international had a difficult debut season on Wearside, making just six substitute appearances in the Championship and amassing only 81 minutes of league football.

Ian Poveda’s 24/25 League stats, as per FotMob
Appearances	6
Started	0
Goals	0
Assists	0

Sunderland’s recent spending spree to strengthen their squad with top-tier talent has further diminished Poveda’s chances of playing regular football. After arriving from Leeds United as a free agent in July 2024, Poveda’s time at Sunderland was marred by injuries and off-field disciplinary issues. Manager Regis Le Bris noted that the 25-year-old faced “many issues,” including a missed team meeting that saw him dropped from matchday squads. With no starts and just a handful of brief appearances, his contribution fell far short of expectations.

 

Meanwhile, Cardiff’s drop to League One has cast uncertainty over the futures of their current

wide players, increasing the need for reinforcements on the flanks. While Ollie Tanner has previously attracted interest from higher-tier clubs like Leeds and Leicester, the addition of a player like Poveda could add valuable depth, regardless of his recent struggles.

Barry-Murphy’s prior role at Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad adds an interesting dimension to this potential transfer. Though he and Poveda didn’t work together directly, both are products of City’s youth development system. Barry-Murphy is known for nurturing technically skilled players, and his possession-focused football philosophy could be a perfect match for Poveda’s natural talent. The winger was once highly rated at City, despite limited senior opportunities, and thrived in a system that emphasized ball control and creativity.

Although moving to League One might appear to be a backward step for Poveda—who has represented England at youth levels and Colombia at senior level—it could be the reset he needs. His previous loan spells at clubs like Blackpool and Blackburn were underwhelming, and he has never scored more than two league goals in a season, despite possessing significant flair and pace. His best run of games came at Blackpool in 2022/23, where he featured in 24 matches.

 

In truth, the physical demands of the Championship may have been too much for a player with Poveda’s injury record and inconsistency. League One could provide the ideal platform for him to rediscover form and confidence. His dribbling and quick feet would likely trouble defenders at that level, and the lower intensity may help him stay fit.

For Cardiff, signing the 5ft 5in winger represents a smart, low-risk gamble that could yield high rewards. With Barry-Murphy’s tactical vision and familiarity with Poveda’s footballing roots, the Welsh club may find in the winger a revitalized asset ready to help drive their push for immediate promotion.