Cardiff City are reportedly liable for the full £15m transfer fee for striker Emiliano Sala, who is feared to have died in a plane crash.

The Bluebirds concluded a deal for the 28-year-old with Ligue 1 side Nantes last Saturday, but as he made his way to the Welsh capital just two days later, his plane disappeared from radar and has yet to be found.

Yesterday the search operation was officially abandoned by rescue workers, all but ending any slim hopes that Sala could still be found alive.

According to The Times, there was initial speculation that the transfer had technically not gone through before Sala's disappearance, but the Football Association of Wales has now confirmed that the player's registration with Cardiff had already become official.

The newspaper says that the club paid Nantes £5m when the paperwork was signed on Saturday, with a commitment of two further instalments of £5m to follow in the future.

Cardiff have yet to confirm whether they have an insurance policy to cover their liability for the player.