Cardiff City and Blackburn Rovers Tracking Auckland FC Striker Sam Cosgrove Ahead of January Window
Championship Duo Eye Winter Move for Auckland FC Target-Man Sam Cosgrove
According to transfer reporter Ekrem Konur, both Championship clubs have kept active scouting files on the 29-year-old English forward. The physically imposing target man played an integral role in guiding the New Zealand-based outfit to A-League Championship glory earlier this year.
🚨#EXCL - Auckland FC's 29yo English striker Sam Cosgrove is target by Cardiff City and Blackburn Rovers for January 2027!
— Ekrem KONUR (@Ekremkonur) September 1, 2026
Bound by a contract until 2027, Auckland FC value their target-man at £1.0M-£1.5M.@ekremkonur @football360au
🔁https://t.co/tr1IsdmHXU https://t.co/lJoJ2iXGkS pic.twitter.com/7vxwYMWNts
Cosgrove made the move to Auckland FC on a free transfer from Barnsley in August 2025 and is under contract with the A-League side until June 2027.
Auckland FC are reportedly under no immediate pressure to sell their star forward, but have placed a price tag between £1.0 million and £1.5 million (€1.2m–€1.8m) on the 6ft 4in frontman should a formal bid materialize in the winter market.
Prior to his move to Australia, Cosgrove accumulated substantial experience across the English Football League and Scottish Premiership.
Career Record: The forward has bagged 82 goals across 328 career appearances, including 47 goals for Aberdeen and 12 during his successful loan stint at Plymouth Argyle.
Auckland Impact: Cosgrove has netted 12 goals and registered 4 assists in 31 appearances for Auckland FC since arriving in 2025.
Tactical Profile: Both Cardiff and Blackburn view the 29-year-old as an ideal target man to add focal-point aerial power and hold-up play to their attacking depth.
While no official proposals have been submitted yet, scouting and evaluations are expected to intensify leading into the January window.
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