Thomas Ince in talks with Cardiff after Blackpool accept £8m bid

The winger has long been linked with a move to the Premier League

Thomas Ince (GETTY IMAGES)

Blackpool winger Thomas Ince has held talks with Barclays Premier League new boys Cardiff, Press Association Sport understands.

Ince's father, Seasiders boss Paul Ince, said at the end of June the Championship club had accepted a bid - reported to be £8million - from Cardiff for the 21-year-old.

And it is understood that the England Under-21 international was in Wales yesterday to discuss a potential move to the Cardiff City Stadium.

Thomas Ince has developed a considerable reputation since joining Blackpool from Liverpool in 2011, emerging as one of the most sought-after players in the English second tier.

Last term he scored 18 goals for the Tangerines and he also netted in their opening pre-season friendly on Saturday, a 2-0 victory over Penrith.

He has eight England Under-21 caps and featured for the team at last month's European Championships in Israel.

Cardiff have already recruited Denmark striker Andreas Cornelius from FC Copenhagen this summer on a five-year-deal as they make preparations for their maiden Premier League campaign, having sealed promotion by winning the Championship title last season.

Earlier today they confirmed their captain Mark Hudson has signed a contract extension that will keep him with the club until the summer of 2015.

Centre-back Hudson was voted Cardiff's player of the year by their supporters for the 2012-13 campaign.

The Guildford-born 31-year-old, who joined from Charlton in 2009, told http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk: "I'm thrilled to have secured my future with Cardiff City and that the thought of my contract is no longer in the back of my mind.

"It's a relief to have done this so early on in the summer so that we can focus purely on the football now in the build up to the season's kick off."

Cardiff manager Malky Mackay said: "I'm delighted that Mark has committed his future to Cardiff City football club.

"He is the ultimate professional, an inspirational leader of men and a pleasure to work with on a day to day basis.

"It was no surprise to see Mark voted as the supporters' club's player of the season earlier this summer, nor that he was voted as part of the PFA's Championship team of the year.

"To secure our captain on a longer-term deal this summer was on our list of priorities and I'm sure he will have the same impact for us in the Barclays Premier League as he did in captaining the players to promotion last season."

Hudson made his 150th Cardiff appearance last season and has scored 11 goals for them.

PA