**Cardiff City Midfielder Alex Robertson Attracts Interest from Championship, European, and MLS Clubs**
Cardiff City’s Australian midfielder Alex Robertson has emerged as a figure of keen interest during this summer’s transfer window, with reports indicating that as many as 12 clubs from the Championship are monitoring his situation. The 21-year-old, who joined the Bluebirds at the beginning of last season, finds his future thrown into uncertainty after Cardiff’s recent relegation and a looming squad overhaul.
The summer marks a period of considerable change at Cardiff City Stadium. Following the team’s drop to League One, Brian Barry-Murphy, newly appointed and already familiar with Robertson from their shared time at Manchester City, has taken over managerial duties. Robertson, conscious of the shifting landscape, has wasted no time in maintaining his fitness, reportedly undertaking off-season training in Australia alongside new Portsmouth recruit Adrian Segecic. Footage of the pair appeared on Joner Football’s YouTube channel, with the midfielder commenting that his time in Cardiff had been “good, really good.”
Despite that positive outlook, speculation has intensified regarding his future at the Welsh club. According to reports from local Portsmouth media, discussions between Robertson and Barry-Murphy are set for the coming week. Among the plethora of interested clubs are not just teams from the Championship’s upper ranks, but also one of the sides relegated from the Premier League, with Portsmouth themselves allegedly considering a move to re-sign the former academy prospect. Additionally, there has been mention of European and Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs keeping watch over the developments.
Robertson’s contractual ties to Cardiff remain strong; he is only one year into a four-year deal, giving the Bluebirds considerable leverage in any negotiations. This may play into the club’s broader plans as Barry-Murphy looks to impose his vision on the squad. The manager has spoken openly about his philosophy, favouring a smaller squad composed mainly of players from the current roster and academy prospects. In his view, this fosters a “culture of improvement” and maximises opportunities for emerging talent—suggesting a focus on quality over quantity in future recruitments.
Just as some players are drawing external interest, movement is already under way within the squad. Michael Reindorf’s recent loan to Newport County, and Roko Simic being tipped for a departure, signal the beginning of the summer clear-out. “My belief is the smaller the squad, within reason, the more it aligns to having a culture of improvement and players having a strong opportunity to play,” Barry-Murphy recently explained. He emphasised the importance of balancing experienced squad members with promising youth, pointing to the potential of the club’s academy as a key component of Cardiff’s resurgence.
The club’s internal reshuffling is not limited to transfers and loans. Nine senior players whose contracts have expired are set to leave, while loanees Will Alves and Sivert Mannsverk have returned to their parent clubs following the end of their short-term stints. At the same time, Cardiff will see a return of four players from their own loan spells—Eli King (Stevenage), Joel Colwill (Exeter City), Ryan Wintle (Millwall), and Ryotaro Tsunoda (KV Kortrijk)—who will rejoin the squad for pre-season training.
With the business of summer transfers ramping up and a new manager at the helm, Cardiff City are evidently bracing for a period of transformation. For Alex Robertson, this phase could herald either an opportunity to establish himself as a leading figure in Barry-Murphy’s new look Bluebirds, or perhaps a chance to embrace a fresh start elsewhere, potentially at a club with Championship promotion ambitions or even overseas.
As speculation continues to swirl, one thing is clear: Cardiff City’s busy transfer window could see significant movement for both players and coaching staff, with Robertson’s situation being one of the most closely watched. Supporters will be keen to see how the new manager’s vision unfolds, and whether it includes retaining one of last season’s few bright sparks.
The coming weeks promise to bring further clarity to Robertson’s future, and the balance of Barry-Murphy’s squad, as Cardiff look to bounce back from relegation while building for a sustainable, competitive future.