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Cardiff City have moved a step closer to securing Manchester United central defender Michael Keane.

Louis val Gaal is set to allow Keane out on loan and, after talking to Ryan Giggs, feels Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the right manager to help continue his development.

A final decision on where Keane will play this season is to be made on Monday and the Bluebirds are hopeful they can sign the promising centre-half on a season-long loan.

The 21-year-old Keane, who played twice for United in the League Cup in 2012-13, is known to Bluebirds boss Solskjaer from his time at Old Trafford.

He has had loan spells at Leicester City, Derby County and Blackburn Rovers, who are also keen to take him back to Ewood Park after he scored three goals in 13 appearances last season.

Keane was in United’s squad for their pre-season tour to America and impressed van Gaal, who feels he will benefit from regular first team football.

Solskjaer has confirmed that signing at least one new centre-half, possibly two, is a priority as he prepares his Cardiff team for back-to-back Championship home matches against Huddersfield and Wigan.

Chairman Mehmet Dalman and Solskjaer have worked together on the move to strengthen City’s defence. They have a number of possible targets and Keane is top of their list.

While City work to add new defenders, striker Joe Mason has joined Bolton Wanderers on loan until January.

The 23-year-old striker spent two spells on loan at Bolton last season, scoring six goals in 16 appearances.

He has made the move after signing an extension to his contract, which has been due to run out in 2016.

A number of Championship clubs were keen on Mason, while he has returned to Bolton and they hope to register him in time to face Bury in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday.

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