There’s plenty of speculation around, and as it stands it seems the players leaving on permanent or loan transfers is far clearer than players coming in. Here’s a list we all pretty much know is on the table, with a few extras you may be do not. Having put our heads together with other swans writers of late, these seem to be the deals that are of Interest to Swansea City.

Andrew Fisher : MK Dons keeper, we reported a few weeks back of his moving to the swans, much to the consternation of a few. As it stands the player wants to come, his finer detail is sorted, however there seems to be a big gap between what MK Dons want and what the swans are prepared to pay. Liam Cullen, Morgan Whittaker or Brandon Cooper could well be the levers used to get this one done. Will this happen ? 8/10.

Harry Darling : Another MK Dons player who could form a part of the switch with Andrew Fisher. Darling, 22, has been a regular under MK manager Liam Manning this season, with the centre-back putting in consistently good performances. The young centre-back already possesses the physical abilities and frame to dominate both battles on the ground and in the air, whilst he also reads the game exceptionally well, assessing the situation before stepping in and regaining possession. It all hinges on players moving each way again, but a permanent move would be very costly. USA board representative Jake Silverstein and swans sporting director Mark Allen will have their work cut out to get Darling as well as Fisher. Will this happen ? 6/10.

Both of these players are obviously in the mix because of Russell Martin’s MK links. Other links down to his contacts are a variety of Manchester City players. Mark Allen has strong links to the Etihad as well. He was at the club a few years back. This has enabled a pretty strong friendship between the swans and the citizens. Endorsed by manager Pep Guardiola. Martin has a very positive relationship with Manchester City and their Under-23s coach, Brian Barry-Murphy.

Joshua Wilson-Esbrand: For us at eighteen years and of little experience City’s left back would struggle to step up and deal with a half season in the championship. Especially with a specific role in any swans team, He did excel in a recent Carabao cup game and earned many plaudits. He would be a loan only. Will this happen ? It all depends on other defensive targets which are more favoured by Russell Martin, you could put this young man at third choice for a transfer in January, and is clearly one of Martin’s preferred back ups. 6/10.

Finley Burns : Another Manchester City academy product and also only eighteen. A ball playing centre half. The same thing applies to Burns as it does Joshua Wilson-Esbrand, he is a back up to other preferred transfers, if these fall through he could accompany Joshua to SA1. For us if this happened It would mean more solid and mature players would have fallen through. Will this happen ? 5/10.

Craig Halkett : Hearts defender, a solid and well rounded defensive player with an eye for a goal. Started life off as a striker hence his ability to get forwards quickly. He is very quick and at twenty six at a career crossroads. Since the reports claiming that there was interest from Swansea and Bristol City, more recent reports have stated that he is in ongoing discussions over a new contract with Hearts. Football Scotland states that he is a key part of manager Robbie Neilson’s side at Tynecastle and they are keen to keep him on board. However, if he decides to move on he won’t come cheap, believed to be around 250k, but it could be an absolute bargain as he is out of contract in a few months. Will this happen ? We definitely hope so 6/10.

Jack Simpson : Glasgow Rangers defender, twenty four years of age, has played very few senior games for his age. His omission from the club’s Europa League squad didn’t exactly bode well and it won’t be a surprise to see him move on next month after a fairly dismal time at Ibrox. Even allowing for injuries to Fil Helander and Leon Balogun, Simpson still hasn’t been near the squad and his signing is still one that doesn’t really make much sense almost 12 months on. Now he been left out of the Europa league squad this year it seems his time is up at Ibrox. The swans would take him, but ony on a free, and on a reduced salary.

Tommy Doyle : Swansea have been linked to young twenty year old Manchester City starlet Tommy Doyle who is currently out on loan at Hamburger SV, the Swans made an approach for the youngster as City are willing to recall Doyle and send him out on loan to the Championship. This we feel could happen, the clubs have spoken and Doyle would be happy to move to the swans for the rest of the season. Doyle unexpectedly flew back from Germany two days ago, and he isn’t expected to return. His time at SV hasn’t been a resounding success. He played in only three games but did return a goal. It’s believed he found it hard to settle,out of the country. Swansea are the number one club in line for his signature. He is quick and possess far more attacking quality than Matt Grimes and Flynn Downes. He has played at seven levels for England up to under 21. Will this happen ? Almost certainly pending the termination of his loan with SV in Germany. 9/10

Haydon Roberts: Brighton defensive player. Swansea are such an attractive outfit for young players looking to go out on loan to the Championship due to Martin’s entertaining style, thesenarenthemthiughtsmof Graeme Potter Seagulls manager. Roberts along with Harry Darling form the preferred choices for Russell Martin in central defence. Roberts at nineteen offers no actual premier league experience but was on loan for twenty five games at Rochdale last season. He has a desire to play in a similar passing system as to that implemented at Swansea. Another youngster and possibly, in our humble opinion not as good as Ben Cabango or Brandon Cooper. Will this happen ? Cheap and available. 7/10

Scott Fraser : Ipswich Town. The one from under the radar, what do we know ? Conversations regards Fraser have already taken place within Swansea. He was mentioned alongside Flynn Downes when he moved from the tractor boys to the swans. Fraser then was at MK Dons. Nothing materialised. Fraser now twenty six, plays in midfield, but offers little goal threat scoring one goal in fifteen appearances this season. With two years left to run on his contract at Ipswich it’s likely the swans will avoid Fraser even though Martin is keen to secure his services. The one thing in his favour is Ipswich played him out of position up until the sacking of Paul Cook, something he hasn’t been happy about this season. Will this happen ? Fraser is behind two potential loans from Manchester City 5/10.

We will review other transfer possibilities in the coming week or so, Sam Greenwood and Folarin Balogun included. I hope you have enjoyed my inaugural article for Swansea independent. I am currently at home for Christmas, but study in the north west and I am in my second year at university.

Photographs licensed from Reuters

Transfer_Latest added 14:42 - Dec 24 Fully agree with Carl, very well written piece. We should have more news come the 27th, all good as well.
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ReslovenSwan1 added 15:48 - Dec 24 19 year old footballers get a chance to go overseas and "cannot settle". At that age I would have been all over a chance to go to Germany and would have rapidly learned basics of the language.
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