We are being told that despite a series of attempts to tie Matt Grimes down to a new Swansea City contract he is still to sign or agree to stay at Swansea. With the transfer window closing only two weeks away our source tells us he is “ Very much in two minds about his future” The belief is he will keep his options open - now he knows how much the swans can offer him to remain in west Wales.
It is a shame as it stands, and we all know how quickly these things can change but armed with the latest Swansea City contract offer plus knowledge on how much Fulham can pay him Grimes has a huge decision to make. No amount of money in addition to his already large salary should dominate a professional career path but for Grimes it clearly does. And you can’t blame him to some extent, however Swansea City cannot afford to allow this to drag on after the end of this month.
The issue for the club is that if Grimes does decide to stay but run down his contract he would be able to leave on a free transfer next year. This would give him a far bigger financial bargaining tool when talking to other clubs. He could easily earn a million pounds plus in signing on fee’s just by doing nothing and playing football for Swansea this season. The longer this goes on Grimes does get an idea of his suitors ability to deliver a higher level of football for him should he leave. But he only has two weeks.
As it stands the club have indicated they want him to stay as have the supporters and Russell Martin. Last week talks did progress as indicated by Martin and Julian Winter, but it seems all they did was give Grimes and his representatives the information needed on Swansea’s value on his services. It must be a hugely difficult decision for Grimes, staying at Swansea in the championship hoping that the club get promoted third time lucky, or go to a rival like Fulham who are certainly far more likely to return to the premier league.
It’s a nice place for him to be today, but after many years of living in the area is Matt Grimes really that certain a change would benefit him that much ? A new culture, community and way of doing things, or remain captain of a club that has continued to look after him and allow him to develop when let’s be honest many didn’t want him over time.
If Grimes does decide to sign the new three year contract on offer to him he would most certainly become the highest paid player at the club, and as we have been told with that all considered, how can the swans do any more ?