Cardiff boss Warnock says strikers didn’t want to sign after Sala disappeared
Bluebirds have scored only 20 goals this season, Premier League's second-worst result
CARDIFF boss Neil Warnock thinks the Emiliano Sala tragedy made his other transfer targets reluctant to join the club in January.
The Argentine striker and his pilot David Ibbotson disappeared over the English Channel flying from Nantes in a Piper Malibu jet on January 19.
Warnock aimed to address Cardiff's goal-scoring problem in the winter transfer window as the Bluebirds have found the back of the net only 20 times this season - Premier League's worst record bar Huddersfield.
The 70-year-coach believed "scruffy" Sala was the perfect fit for his side, and paid a club-record £15million for the 28-year-old striker.
But following the Argentine's mystery disappearance, Warnock had to return to the transfer market in search of another forward - which he claims became more difficult in the aftermath of the tragedy.
He told Sky Sports: "One or two of the strikers we were talking about they didn't really want to come in the circumstances.
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"They didn't want to come in after what's happened. So it's been a very difficult window."
Sala's disaster has taken a toll on the Bluebirds as skipper Sol Bamba has revealed some members of the squad are now worried about flying following the Argentine's disappearance.
Ahead of Tuesday's defeat to Arsenal, Warnock also revealed he had considered retiring after his "most difficult week in football".
Meanwhile, Cardiff managed to sign Reading midfielder Leandro Bacuna for £3m on the transfer deadline day to boost their relegation battle.
The Bluebirds have also loaned Oumar Niasse from Everton until the rest of the season in search of more Premier League goals.
Ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash against Bournemouth, Cardiff are 18th - four points away from safety.