Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay is being linked with Manchester United striker Kiko Macheda.

Mackay insists it is possible to discover a diamond, pointing to the signing of midfielder Tom Cleverley when he was at Watford.

Cleverley scored 11 goals in 33 appearances for the Hornets during the 2009-10 season and is now on the verge of England honours after making the breakthrough at Manchester United.

"We paid a loan fee for Tom which at the time was looked upon as being quite expensive at £300,000 for the year," said Mackay.

"At the end of the year we would have paid double or treble that because he was such a good asset.

"I was thankful to Sir Alex Ferguson for allowing me to take him and deciding that my club was the place for him to go."