Russell Martin has two players he is determined to sign on loan in January. One is a perfect fit in to the swans attacking midfield options, even if Jamie Paterson makes a speculative move to WBA in four weeks. His contract clause does present the baggies with some issues. The other is seen as a replacement for the ailing Ryan Bennett who has struggled in the last six weeks in crucial games against Bournemouth and Reading.
Rhys Williams is almost certain to return to Liverpool with Burnley and Brighton looking to sign him on a permanent transfer. Let alone his game time is looking to be highly limited at Swansea. Coupled with a potential transfer move by the baggies for Paterson, which for us is pure speculation, these two loan signings who we will assess later, would significantly reduce Swansea City’s wage bill. Ideally It would put money in the clubs coffers for a permanent signing as well. Any sale of Jamie Paterson would not be well received by many swans fans and the club are believed to be reviewing a new contract offer.
Much of this is very much down to the fact that Williams returns to Liverpool, and Jay Fulton and Yan Dhanda gain the club fees for their departure. Plus Lincoln City are very keen on one from Liam Cullen and Morgan Whittaker on loan deals as well. Cheltenham who have been impressed with Kyle Joseph also would like Liam Cullen at Whaddon Road. The swans are also keen on Lincoln forward Tony Scully. In relation to Dhanda the club would even consider a loan for a player who has seen no first team football for three months. Both Dhanda and Fulton have been told they are not in Martin’s plans.
To add to the mix swans u23 Lincoln McFayden wants to secure a loan deal away from the club with MK Dons interested in him. That could become a possibility as MK keeper Andrew Fisher is also someone Russell Martin wants at Swansea City. Recent performances from Ben Hamer will have enhanced his interest. Fisher is a graduate of the Russell Martin ethos of playing out from the back and is seen as a far better option than Hamer and swans second choice Steven Benda.
So who are the targets for Martin ? First off its nineteen year old Jamie McAtee at Manchester City who Pep Guardiola is keen to see develop in a strong ‘football dominant’ side, and there’s nowhere better to do that than at Swansea City. The debut of Salford lad McAtee against Everton recently was another bonus for the citizens, and he almost made a name for himself with a backheel assist and a goal in a frenetic finish to the game. McAtee has impressed first team players since moving up to join the squad, and Guardiola said: "All of us we believe, we have a good generation of four, five or six players with quite a good potential to help us. Jamie is one if them " McAtee excelled on his debut, he has all the attributes that Swansea need to push on for a top half championship finish. He brings pace, goals and more than anything a confidence in his own ability. His signing would certainly set the swans up for a more attacking finish to their current options. The swans through Mark Allen have already discussed with Man City regards him coming to the Swansea.Com stadium.
Jamie McAtee is at the very top of Russell Martin’s list in January
Brighton’s Haydon Roberts, who is also nineteen, is the other target for Martin, again we see this as a big gamble, no different to Rhys Williams, he is held in high esteem at Brighton, but not enough to give him a first eleven start. He also has experience at English youth level, having represented both England Under-17s and England Under-18s. He was at Rochdale last season. The versatile defender is being closely monitored by the swans, and it is likely any loan offer would be accepted by Brighton. None has been made as yet.
Haydon Roberts, a talent but also a big gamble
Incredibly, after such a bold start Swansea City have the worst defensive record in the top twelve of the championship. Recent games against Bournemouth and Saturdays farce against Reading haven’t helped. Recent attempts to sign Sam Greenwood on loan from Leeds have failed, and although he could be another avenue for the club Russell Martin wants to explore more possibilities. All three of these players, McAtee, Roberts and Greenwood are loan only.
With Fulton, Dhanda, Whittaker, Mcfayden and Cullen all certain to leave the club on either loans or sales it will free up some capital. Rhys Williams returning to Liverpool too frees up a loan spot, with only Ethan Laird on loan if this happens.
As it stands it doesn’t look too exciting, although if the swans did secure McAtee we feel he would be a real success at Swansea.Okay, maybe not enough to drive the club towards its ultimate goal, a return to the premier league, but it would make for an exciting second part of the season. We will of course keep you updated on all of the clubs transfer business this and next month.