As is, and it seems ever will be the rumours of million pound bids for players circulate the Patreon pages of so called respected journalists. First they take your money then they spill the beans. That’s the plan anyway.

But of course in many cases it’s a fabrication of fabricated news that’s circulated within what’s app groups from other journalists setting each other up in quick time for an agent or business for easy bucks. Well, that’s the brief, we’ve said it before. The really trustworthy sources like Romano get it wrong too, they escape attention because of their success rate, us on the other hand never let anyone go once we have them in our sights. It’s the old school knock on and caught behind in silly mid on I suppose. If that’s a thing.

Josh Key is a good example, all of a sudden The Sun via some chap who blocked us three years ago stated he was the subject of interest. Well, at the slightest hint of that we did some looking around and behind Liam’s en suite door we found the answer. It was nonsense. Inspirational fair play, but nonsense all the same. As we stated early yesterday on our X timeline, there’s nothing to it. The five million price tag is a figure plucked out of the air. The actual pursuit of the player a falsehood so we have to assume it’s done for bucks. An agent looking to earn Josh a move, probably not ? An agent employed by Middlesbrough to source players is more likely, or a busy intermediary trying to impress their employer. Whatever it is, at this moment in time the Swans haven’t fielded anything that would warrant such exact reporting.

The hope of course now is that clubs pick up on this and see five million as a reasonable amount to pay for Josh Key. It will of course raise awareness, that’s the danger. The mechanics lay deep in the psyche of those who utilise this information for personal gain, those who disrupt a player on the brink of a new season. However, we have been assured that Josh Key doesn’t want to leave the Swans, a club on the brink of success off the pitch colliding with a summer of priceless recruitment. That’s the position now, a more rosier position than we have seen, felt and experienced for many years.

But never underestimate the spin, the reasons and the bit part players in this type of scam.

The revelation of Dan Loader, the FC Porto player being of interest was about as left field as you can get. That ‘news’ came yesterday as well. Obscurely intertwined with the usual Hull City and other clubs caveat. Always cast some suspicion on any news involving Hull City, they are restricted on what salary they can pay, and with the fee being four million pounds, they are blocked from any sort of financial transfer. Pinch of salt time there. Loader won’t be coming to Swansea we are told. Never been of interest. These lazy stories will continue to be circulated to grab your attention. Wales On Line have a report from over two weeks ago stating Lewis O’ Brien had agreed everything to join Wrexham. It’s a bit like going fishing for sea trout and catching a rotten carcass. They still carry news on the Israeli winger, Gabi Kanichowsky, again dismissed by these pages.

⚽️ That’s here —> Kanichowsky hoax

You must make your own mind up on this type of reporting, we’ve exposed it time and time again.

The Swans are now in a position where they have a preferred squad of sorts, yes there’s a few to come in but that’s now down to head coach, Alan Sheehan and what he takes from the two friendly fixtures this week. Under the microscope are most certainly Sam Parker, Joel Cotterill and Cameron Congreve. This pre season has been very much about them and has given the head coach ample time to see their endeavours in early season training and in the friendly in Spain. This week is most certainly a time for them to step up and put their mark on these two games. Sheehan’s preferred eleven almost picks itself, but he will certainly be looking to strengthen.

There are gaps.

Those spaces will depend on how the academy graduates perform over the coming week or two.

Swansea City play Cheltenham Town at Whaddon Eoad this coming Wednesday evening with a 7pm kick off. On Saturday they travel to Exeter City for a 1pm kick off at St James Park. We will keep you right across all the news on these fixtures.

Our report yesterday on the fitness of Josh Key and Ben Cabango a point in case.

That’s here —> ⚽️ Injury doubts ?

Artwork by Swansea Independent