Emiliano Sala: Cardiff chief reveals Premier League have rejected transfer request

Cardiff’s club-record £15million signing has been missing since Monday evening.

The plane carrying Sala disappeared when flying over the English channel with the striker on his way to link up with his Cardiff team-mates.

Thorough searches continued on Thursday, however, police are still no closer to confirming what happened.

Cardiff were hoping their record signing from Nantes would keep them in the Premier League this season.

And while Choo admits all of Cardiff’s thoughts are with Sala, the Blue Birds chief says the club must plan ahead.

Cardiff attempted to extend their transfer window following Sala’s disappearance, however, the Premier League rejected their proposal.

“From the club’s perspective we are managing this situation now but we have another department that has to continue looking at the transfers,” Choo told talkSPORT.

“It’s really difficult physically, emotionally and mentally to try and cope in a situation like this.

“We have to segregate our mind into looking for Emiliano, helping the family and provide our best care for the family by giving them the information they want, which is totally factual.

“And then we are still running a business which continues, and we still have to meet the transfer deadline.

“I have spoken to the Premier League, I have spoken with (managing director) Richard Masters and the Premier League executives yesterday.

“I said how tough it is for us to cope, given that there is eight days to go and we’ve been watching Emiliano for months and we finally got it over the line and then…

“There are eight days to go and we don’t really know how to cope with this scenario. But we have to meet the deadline. The bottom line from the Premier League is we have to meet the deadline like anybody else.”

Guernsey Police have conducted the search for Sala and pilot David Ibbotson on board the missing aircraft.

They have confirmed they will continue to search on Thursday, with police also investigating the island of Burhou for traces of the plane.

Guernsey Police said: “The search is ongoing and a decision about continuing will be made once all assets have completed this morning’s search pattern.

“The island of Burhou has been searched by foot. No trace of the aircraft or those on board has been found.

“Further information will be released once it is available.”

The plane carrying Sala had been flying at 5,000 feet but was at 2,300 when Jersey air traffic controllers lost contact.

A stunning WhatsApp voice message from Sala has since emerged following his disappearance, where the 28-year-old told his friends he was scared to board ‘a plane that seems like it is falling to pieces’.

Sala said: “Hello, little brothers, how are you crazy people?

“Brother, I’m dead, I was here in Nantes doing things, things, things, things and things, and it never stops, it never stops, it never stops.

“I’m here on a plane that looks like it’s about to fall apart, and I’m going to Cardiff, crazy, tomorrow we already start, and in the afternoon we start training, boys, in my new team…

“Let’s see what happens, so, how are you brothers and sisters, all right?

“If in an hour and a half you have no news from me, I don’t know if they are going to send someone to look for me because they cannot find me, but you know … Dad, how scared am I!”

source: express.co.uk