By Chris O'Brien
June 16 2005

Southampton are said to be very interested in signing Cardiff City defender Daniel Gabbidon. The Bluebirds are looking to offload the Welsh international to ease financial debts of beyond £30million, but fans would be angered if the centre-half joined a fellow Championship club.

Cardiff City defender Daniel Gabbidon may not necessarily be heading for the Premiership, with Southampton manager Harry Redknapp believed to be very interesting in taking the Welsh international to the St. Mary's prior to the start of the new season. The Saints suffered relegation on the final day of the season last campaign, and Redknapp has quickly got to work on looking at strengthening his struggling squad as the South Coast outfit look for a quick return to England's top flight.

Redknapp is thought to have been interested in signing Gabbidon for some time. He was heavily linked with a move to Portsmouth when Redknapp was at the helm of Fratton Park, and he has seemingly carried his interest to Pompey's arch-rivals since his controversial managerial move last season.

Bluebirds supporters expect the highly-rated Gabbidon to move to the Premiership over the summer, with the 26-year-old eager to test himself at the highest level. Cardiff's crippling financial problem also means that a bid in the region of £2million surely couldn't be turned down with the pressure on the club to ease a £30million debt hanging over the club. Jobi McAnuff and Graham Kavanagh have already left the club in recent weeks to help boost the coffers.

However, the possibility of Gabbs moving to a fellow second-tier side would be one hard to take for supporters. It was only a couple of seasons ago that owner Sam Hammam said the centre-half would only be sold to one of the country's very best clubs, and though this is no longer the case, a move within the Football League Championship would be another blow for fans who have endured such a difficult season.

As expected, the press has been hot with rumours of Gabbidon's future. Wigan Athletic, Everton, Fulham, Charlton Athletic and Aston Villa have all been linked with his services but Hammam is coy on what colour jersey the former West Bromwich Albion defender will be pulling on next term.

"It's premature to talk about Danny going anywhere. Could it happen? Yes. Will it happen? I don't know." said the Lebanese businessman. "Danny is among our players who will attract interest. Every day there are lots of calls from clubs asking about players - and we are making lots of calls asking about other clubs' players."

Gabbidon is contracted at Ninian Park until 2008, which will command a high fee for a Welsh capital departure. Redknapp could be set to table a bid within the foreseeable future to strengthen his defensive trio, and with the Bluebirds desperate for a forward Brett Ormerod, Kenwyne Jones or Dexter Blackstock could all be offered as part of a part-exchange.