It’s been a busy week, well for the close season it has. Numerous ups and downs with our current manager Steve Cooper, and players linked too. Let’s have a quick look back before we have a very positive look forwards to tomorrow. Despite the desire for many people to have their “rumours” published we have to do do our own due diligence, and ensure things are as researched as best as possible. In a way we do our own accountancy first so others don’t get hijacked.
There’s definitely something in the Liam Walsh story, now a free agent, and in surprisingly so he has been in talks with the swans, and no doubt other clubs as well. The best deal though isn’t always the right one, his fellow transferee from the robins Korey Smith will no doubt give him the full brief on the club. Liam has been out on loan at Coventry, the success of that deal was maybe to get him back to fitness amidst speculation he could sign a new Bristol City contract.
Bristol City CEO Mark Ashton said in January to the Coventry Telegraph, "No, we haven't put anything formal to him, as we haven't with another of the other players at this moment in time," said Ashton, who explained the decision was amid the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic which has put a hole in the finances of every EFL club, making contract negotiations more difficult But that's not a problem because we're in continual discussion with them. It doesn't work like that. It's not that today it's a black and white offer, it's an ongoing discussion with a number of the players. And to be honest with you, when the player looks you in the eye and says 'I want to be here', it makes my job with their representative far easier. And Liam has done that," said the CEO, who added that it was difficult to tie up new player deals with the club unsure on their revenues or when fans may be allowed back to Ashton Gate.
That was then, and since that conversation Liam Walsh is a free man.
One of our partners ‘football league world have run again with the Matt Grimes story, as have 90 minutes, Keith has written for both. And both have a philosophy to give football back to the fans, and we entirely agree. Where these stories originate from seems to concern a few, but not us, it’s our job to keep people informed, not to pander to the few and their inability to understand our articles. No matter how short their arms are.
Grimes will always produce interest, he is a part of the successful squad from this year, Swansea City are a successful football club in championship terms, and no matter the end result this season other clubs will looking closely to see whats available. At his age he most definitely is at a professional crossroads. No matter where the interest leads him, or the swans for that matter it’s a crucial decision for him to make.
Michael Obafemi was nearly a Jack in January so it’s again pretty unsurprising that news would surface on him this summer. For us as a second choice striker, he would be sound, but we are pretty unsure whether he has the credentials to fill Ayew’s shoes. If he did sign then there would be four players in contention for possibly two spots in a 442. Okay, three if it were a 433. Still, we are not confident in Whittaker, Cullen, Obafemi and Lowe to do the job required. Southampton’s interest in Grimes which is now widely reported could well provide some flexibility in negotiations between the two clubs. Matt Grimes though would then need his spot filling, and again they are fairly big shoes to fill.
The big one, and this would please every Swansea City fan is Thomas Henry, even though he has only recently found his goal scoring boots it would definitely satisfy the craving swans have for what is termed as a proper striker. The money mentioned is a bit off the mark but he would still be in seven figures, plus a healthy salary, signing on fee and then there’s the agents fees. Yes then there’s a potential two and a half million spend. It’s been a while since the club did that. That would be considered a marquee signing by the Americans standards. Like every player the swans have an interest in other clubs quickly follow.
The two Kyle’s, Joseph* and Scott were never going to be far away when new players get mentioned. However, again these are players that will always be linked to the swans. Young, ripe for development and wanting to join a club that is progressive and successful they too will be talking to any club that will listen, and many will. There is a caveat here it isn’t breaking news that Kyle Joseph has had a week of dialogue off and on with the swans. For us he could be close to an announcement*
Somewhere in amongst all this are Ben Cabango and Conner Roberts, I’m pretty certain they won’t want their Euros upset by a mid tournament transfer saga, but we do think they must be on certain clubs lists of possible signings. It hurts but we have to talk about it. We all want that Swansea academy identity to remain at the club, and these two are definitely proof of that. There will be loans brought in guaranteed, there will be signings permanently too, and yet we haven’t talked about the keepers position.
Steve Benda and Ben Hamer are currently in the number one or two spots, or vice versa. Benda had a tremendous season at Swindon last year, and if the swans are not going to sign yet another keeper he has to be number one. Opinions though eh ? When put over in an adult way we can all discuss it, our stories often provide that on the forums.
Well, let’s see what tomorrow brings, Friday it is. New stories no doubt, new things to talk about and definitely some challenging articles for the hard of understanding to read. Thanks for the views, your responses too, and thanks for your continued support of our site. We intend to work as hard as we can to keep you informed of any rumour, speculation and well sourced information. If we didn’t you wouldn’t be here reading this now, would you ?
Friday* it is then.