Peter Ridsdale says Cardiff's FA Cup run is attracting investment

Cardiff City chairman Peter Ridsdale has promised manager Dave Jones the funds to turn the FA Cup finalists into Premier League promotion contenders.

Ridsdale also revealed that he has met potential investors, some of whom could be interested in buying the club.

"As recently as two days ago we were in Barcelona talking to people with very deep pockets who want to buy football clubs," Ridsdale told BBC Sport Wales.

"That's what we'll do this summer, I am actively seeking additional funding."

Although an injection of new investment under the current regime is most likely, Ridsdale has not ruled out a new owner taking over the Championship club.

"Some people might want to invest, some people might want to take control, my job has always been to do the best job for shareholders in Cardiff City and our supporters," Ridsdale added.

"The FA Cup run has been superb because we've now got people talking to us who, perhaps, in the past would have been talking to other football clubs.

"Cardiff City is now a name on everyone's lips because we are in the FA Cup final."

Should Cardiff beat Portsmouth in the FA Cup final at Wembley on 17 May, the Football Association has confirmed that it will allow the Welsh club to represent England in next season's Uefa Cup.

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A foray into Europe would strengthen Cardiff's hand in attracting new investment.

But Ridsdale says that whatever happens in the FA Cup, it is reaching the riches of the Premier League that is chief in their plans.

"Of course Dave needs money. We've spent the past three years trying to sweep up the mess that we inherited," Ridsdale said.

"We've tried to keep the club stable, which we have, we've tried to build a new stadium, which we are doing, and we've now got a training ground of our own.

"It's now time to move onto the next stage which is to try and inject cash into the squad, so that we can truly compete for a place in the Premier League.

"We want the best chance of giving Dave the opportunity to get into either the play-offs or automatic promotion next year."