Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan says 'not a single penny' will be available for January transfers

Tan released a statement expressing his disappointment after manager Malky Mackay talked about possible transfer targets

Cardiff manager Malky Mackay wants to make three new signings in January (GETTY IMAGES)

Cardiff owner Vincent Tan has launched a stinging attack on the club’s manager Malky Mackay after the Scot made public his plans for the January transfer window.

Mackay revealed that he would like to add three new players to his squad in January – a defender, midfielder and striker – but Tan has slammed his proposals and confirmed through a statement that not a penny will be made available when the window opens.

Chief executive Simon Lim spoke for Tan via an official statement, which read: “Tan Sri Vincent Tan was extremely upset to read quotes from the manager concerning the possibility of new recruits, before he had been informed whether funds would be made available.

“He believes that doing so unfairly raises supporter expectations, placing unnecessary pressure on the club.

“His view is that due to the funds already committed, including the originally authorised summer transfer budget of £35m that rose to £50m in total, including add-ons, the manager has been fully supported.

“The overspending of £15m has upset Tan Sri greatly, resulting in the removal on Iain Moody as head of recruitment. As such, he has stated that not a single penny will be made available in January.

“Having been the highest-spending promoted club and the seventh-highest spender in the Premier League last summer, the owner believes that the manager has been given the best possible chance of retaining our Premier League status.”

The dismissal of Moody had been questioned since he left the club in October, with the reasons for his sacking remaining undisclosed until now. Moody, who is now sporting director of Premier League rivals Crystal Palace, had previously admitted that he had not been told why he was sacked, but it appears that Tan has confirmed he was unhappy with Moody’s actions in the summer transfer window.

Cardiff added Steven Caulker, Gary Medel, Kevin Theophile-Catherine and Andreas Cornelius in the summer in their efforts to maintain their Premier League status this season, and Mackay had confirmed he wanted to bring in new faces following the 1-0 victory over West Brom on Saturday.

“It would be great if we can bring in three quality additions to the squad,” Mackay said after the win at the Cardiff City Stadium.

“I would look to strengthen all three departments in terms of a defender, a midfielder and an attacking player.

“I will talk to my chairman (about January) who will then discuss it with his board of directors and our owner and I will take my lead from them.”

Mackay has been linked with a move to various Premier League club’s this season – including West Brom after they sacked Steve Clarke – but he has remained with the Bluebirds despite the animosity between Tan and the club’s supporters.