Neil Warnock is keen to have midfield playmaker Peter Whittingham in his Bluebirds squad next season.
Long-serving ‘Whitts’ has spent the last decade playing for Cardiff City and he has been offered a new one-year contract.
Whittingham, 32, is also in talks with other clubs and manager Warnock says: “In Peter’s case he is looking at his options, quite rightly so because it’s a reduced offer.
“If he could get two years – and his agent says one or two clubs are offering him that – then you can’t blame him.
“It’s up to Peter. I think he’d be better off with us. I’m not really looking to replace him.
“I’m not saying he’s going to be a regular, but I think he could definitely make a good contribution.
“I’ve not set a deadline, I’ve not got anyone lined up in that respect. He’s got to work out what’s best for his family at this stage of his career.”
Warnock has made two new signings, goalkeeper Neil Etheridge from Walsall and winger Nathaniel Mendez-Laing from Rochdale, while he has also agreed new deals with Kadeem Harris and Junior Hoilett.
The 23-year-old Harris made 38 appearances for Cardiff last season, but is out of contract this season.
“Kadeem has agreed a contract,” says Warnock. “Everything’s been agreed apart from his signature.
“He’s got the confidence. I’m hopefully going to sign players to give him competition because I don’t think we got enough goals from Kadeem and Junior last year.
“They know that, they’ve got to produce more goals, but they were both instrumental in a good run.”
Warnock also says wingers Craig Noone and Anthony Pilkington plus left-back Declan John are set to leave the Bluebirds.
Noone, a £1m signing from Brighton five years ago, has made 170 appearances for Cardiff and still has a year left on his contract, but has not been a regular under Warnock.
“I think Nooney realises it’s time for him to move on,” said Warnock.
“He needs a new challenge now. He’s done ever so well for the club since he’s been here.
“I only ever played two years at a club and I was a winger and I was ready to move on. Craig needs a new challenge, get his enthusiasm back.
“Pilks is similar (to Noone). He can score more goals, but whether he needs a new challenge or not is something which will be discussed in pre-season.”
On Merthyr Tydfil-born John, who has started only one game for Cardiff under Warnock, the manager said: “I had a good chat with Declan last season. The time has come for him to try his luck somewhere else.
“He’s a little bit stale with us, he’s not going to get much of a look in. I look at the left-back and left forward positions and he’s kind of in between in the Championship.
“He could do a job somewhere and I think he’s got to be playing now. I’m not going to stop him.”