Dan Bardell believes Cardiff must achieve promotion to the Premier League through the Play-Offs to avoid financial concerns in the Championship next season.
The Whites are preparing for the final at Wembley on Sunday (26 May) where they will face Southampton knowing they have to win.
This has been made even more important after The Daily Mail reported (16 May) that the club will need to raise £100million-plus from player sales if they aren’t promoted.
Sky Sports and talkSPORT journalist Bardell has suggested staying in the second tier could become a huge problem for Daniel Farke’s side.
Speaking exclusively to MOT Cardiff News, Bardell said: “It’s massive to go back up at the first time of asking. We’ve seen with Leeds previously the longer you don’t go up, the harder it gets.
Who could Cardiff sell this summer?
If Farke’s side fail to get promoted, the summer transfer window could prove to be a long one for everyone associated with the club.
With £100m needed to ease financial concerns, Cardiff will have to move on the majority of their best talent that has got them into this positive situation.
After a 90-point haul in the Championship this campaign, they have done well to get to the Play-Off final after some rough form.
a 4-0 win against Norwich City has helped bring some positivity back to Elland Road after some nerves crept in after a 0-0 first leg.
Should they lose to Southampton in the final at Wembley, the likes of Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter and Archie Gray could be shipped out.
The trio would be a massive loss ahead of next campaign as Leeds would look to earn promotion at the second time of asking.
After a 90-point haul in the Championship this campaign, they have done well to get to the Play-Off final after some rough form.
