CARDIFF could be set to offer Celtic the man Ronny Deila wanted last summer - South Korean international, Kim Bo-Kyung.

But the Bluebirds hope to take Adam Matthews back to Wales in return.

Deila admitted a few weeks after he took over as manager at Parkhead Kim was a player he was tracking.

However, at that time, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was in charge at Cardiff, and he was not prepared to allow the creative midfielder to go.

Since then, Solskjaer has lost his job and been replaced by Russell Slade, who appears to have decided Kim is not part of his plans.

The 25 year-old has played in just three Capital Cup ties and two league games this season.

Kim first appeared on Celtic's radar when Neil Lennon was still in charge.

But with Borussia Dortmund and Monaco also chasing him, Kim joined Cardiff from Japanese club Cerezo Osaka in July 2012 in a £2.5million transfer.

He signed a three-year deal, helping Malky Mackay's side win promotion to the Premier League in his first season.

Kim could opt to sit tight and become a free agent in the summer.

But after lasting just one year in the Premier League, Cardiff need to revamp their squad after struggling to get involved in the fight for an immediate return to the top flight.

And, they are keen to sound out Celtic to see if they retain any interest in Kim.

As part of their rebuild, the Bluebirds have already been linked with an interest in Anthony Stokes.

Now their attention appears to have switched to their former full-back, Matthews.

The man who turns 23 today started his career at Cardiff, making his debut at just 17.

But he refused to accept a new deal and instead signed a pre-contract agreement with Celtic in February 2011 before making the move north in the summer.

However, Cardiff believe his heart remains in his homeland, and are ready to test their theory with an offer to Celtic.

Deila is not expected to be in favour of the defender moving at this time as first-choice right-back, Mikael Lustig, continues to be plagued by injury problems, despite undergoing surgery on both hips this time last year.

Efe Ambrose has been used as cover in the position, but he is also reported to be a target for clubs down south.

Darnell Fisher has returned from his long-term absence, and played the full 90 minutes of Celtic's opening game in the Maspalomas Cup at the weekend, when they lost 1-0 to PSV Eindhoven.

But with Virgil Van Dijk's future uncertain and Jason Denayer only at the club on loan, it is considered unlikely Deila would want Matthews to go at this stage.

The Hoops boss might, however, choose to explore other options for bringing in Kim, especially if Kris Commons does not agree to sign the contract the club have offered him.

Shaun Maloney is another attacking midfielder Deila admits he admires.

But the 31 year-old - who has already had two spells at Parkhead - is also wanted by Leicester while Chicago Fire are ready to offer him the chance to continue his career in the States.