We have been told that Swansea City and more importantly, majority owners Brett Cravatt and Jason Cohen will refuse any advances for midfield star, Ethan Galbraith this coming January transfer window. Surely though everyone has a price ? We had a look around.
First of all we refer you to our exclusive on Ethan Galbraith on July 2nd of this year when we made it clear our sources were stating that Ethan wanted to come to Swansea City and nowhere else. Two days later he was a Swans player. That’s below.
The reason we revert back to this report will be clear to those who read these pages regularly. A credible report that is followed by another report (on this occasion about the same player) shouldn’t be disregarded. Especially when it comes with a certain degree of good news. What we now know regards Ethan is he is also reluctant to move on from the Swans so early in his career, that’s been confirmed to us.
However, we decided to push the envelope and did some more research because let’s be honest everybody has a price, and there are many clubs out there who can turn Ethan’s head. Speaking to the same sources that gave us the news on Ethan’s decision to come to Swansea we decided to dig deeper. Although people who know Ethan don’t have the insight that we can gauge on value, there are some very eyebrow raising figures being thrown around. Even some of the very hard working people employed within the club are stating they very much doubt the Swans would let Ethan go, the next question was - how much then ?
Figures were thrown at us from six million to ten million pounds. Pure speculation away from the facts within this report. That latter figure seems extremely hopeful. Plus if a club came in with far more financial power salary wise it could unsettle him. The thought of twenty thousand pounds a week, that’s a million pounds a year (gross) contract would most certainly give him food for thought. At his age, he is twenty five next May it could make him for life. For us that’s where he becomes unsettled. His agent will know every detail of a potential offer well before even Swansea City would be notified. As it is when selling houses an agent has to tell their client of interest and financial potential. That’s the basic rule. Plus once interest is known by the agent (in this case the highly regarded CAA Base) they too have ammunition to manipulate (for the want of another word) and make it known to other agents of the interest. We must remember agents do the bidding for clubs as well as their clients in some cases, news travels fast in that world. Especially with big money to be made. That at the end of the day is the driver.
Then we have the way that sales and fees are calculated when a transfer is made. The bizarre rumours of Adam Idah and his contract are so wide of the mark it’s embarrassing for those who reported it. Ethan has a very complicated contract that most of us know will be filled with a sell on, achievement clauses (promotion, appearances, club and international, goals and far more) The Swans could benefit to a huge degree financially.
And then there is this.
What is the value on a six million transfer ? Well, the closest we have is Adam Idah but we do know more about Zeidane Inoussa. His contract is over five years, giving the Swans PSR breathing space (profit and sustainability) His fee will now be spread over those five years gauging that as a two and a half million down payment, it is as it stands around six hundred thousand a year. But of course some of those add ons that result in payments will never be achieved. If they are the Swans will be a Premier League outfit and Inoussa a Swedish international of some note. As the player develops, much the same as Melker Widell more money could be paid out, but in equal terms if that is the case the Swans will be a complete success.
These negotiations take days and in these two players case weeks and weeks.
So, we return to Ethan Galbraith, one of the most exciting and dependable players we have seen since Leon Britton, that is of course in our view. A player gathering plaudits with every game he plays, a player that the business minds at Swansea City know only too well will increase in value far beyond January. We stand by the information we have gathered but with every player heads can be turned. If Ethan falls into that bracket many of those around him including his key family advisor will advise caution based on what he can gain as time moves on. We know that is very much true. Ethan has a wonderful family set up with support throughout especially when his achievements, be they as an international (below) or joining Swansea City in July are noted.
The general feeling when we canvassed agents who have been absolutely stunning over the summer transfer window is the Swans would be crazy to sell Ethan in January.. There will be those drumming up interest of course, that’s their job but he has sound advice around him. That sound advice will be just that, he is the metronome in the Swansea City midfield and to lose him so soon would be a disaster for Swansea City both short term and long term. And if you think about it it could be for Ethan too.
Having said all that what a wonderful position for our forward thinking club to be in.
This report comes from confidential sources known to Swansea Independent. They have a track record in previous reports that have come good on these pages. When we reference other journalists we will always credit them. That’s rule number one in professional journalism.