By Paul Jones
Jordan Hugill would only consider staying at Cardiff City next season if Norwich City no longer want him.
Striker Hugill has been a big success since he joined the Bluebirds on loan in January – scoring three times and providing two assists in 11 league appearances.
But it is the fact that Cardiff have only lost twice in that sequence, with Hugill providing a focal point in seven victories, that underlines the value of the 29-year-old’s all-round contribution.
Hugill has another season left on his contract with Norwich and admits his ideal solution would be for the Premier League’s bottom club to mount an unlikely survival turnaround – offering him another chance to make his mark in the top flight.
“Honestly, I’d love for them to stay up and then it gives me a fresh chance in the Premier League – that would be ideal,” said Hugill, who was given little opportunity in a previous loan spell at West Bromwich Albion.
“Regardless of what happens, I’d like to think I’m doing well enough here to prove I’ve got a chance there next year.
I really hope Cardiff City buy Jordan Hugill in the summer he’s been quality so far. He’s got 2 goals and an assist in five matches. But also the way he plays. constantly chasing the ball down. putting pressure on the goalkeeper and defence. He’s not a lazy striker pic.twitter.com/LP4DfqJCPY
— CCFCJH09 (@CCFCJH09) February 16, 2022
“I’m really enjoying it. I hope you can tell on the pitch that I’m enjoying my football and I hope I’m rewarding the fans, the manager and the players with good performances and goals.
“I knew Cardiff were interested from the very start (of the January window). I looked into things in detail and had a few options, but I believed this was the right place. I knew the manager would play to my strengths, which is what we’ve done.”
Hugill’s chances of becoming a permanent option for Cardiff manager Steve Morison would appear to depend on Norwich’s valuation of the player and where the club find themselves next season.
They are currently bottom of the Premier League and look unlikely to survive the drop with an eight-point gap between themselves and safety with only nine matches remaining.
Any deal for Hugill is likely to cost Cardiff around £2.5m for a player who turns 30 in June.
An excellent performance from @JordanHugill last night! 👏
📊 Delivered by @FireRiteUK.#CityAsOne pic.twitter.com/IIaAjibX2q
— Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) March 17, 2022
“Obviously, I’ve got a year left at Norwich and I’d like to see what would happen there first. I’ve got a good pre-season planned with them initially,” added Hugill.
“So, it’s not down to me, it’s down to who wants me. I’m just focusing on playing well, finishing this season, getting as high up in this league as we can.
“Then, ultimately, I’ll be going back to Norwich and hitting the ground running with them, because that’s my parent club.”