There seems an inevitability that Swansea City will have to deal with numerous inquiries for Joel Piroe before the end of the transfer window which runs four weeks in to next season.

The Leicester City links will be there until Piroe decides he is leaving or staying. The former looks to be the best bet as it stands. Any one of the promoted clubs will be interested for sure, Fulham ( Bournemouth who spend madly ) and one from Nottingham Forest or Huddersfield will feel he could add value to their squad. However, he remains a gamble for any club looking to spend their hard earned on the Dutchman. His career started well as a younger man but for the few seasons before he came to Swansea he was struggling.

At the swans he has found a way of playing that suits his style and a team focussed on providing him and Michael Obafemi with opportunities to score goals. The question has to be does he have the ability to fit in with a new ethos at another club only a short time after finding his feet under Russell Martin ? That’s the real question clubs should asking themselves. Forest as an example are allegedly interested if they get promoted, but really no club can be ruled out without firm information. And there isn’t any at this time.

It’s pure speculation.

If the people we talk to who know more than most about this matter it is certain Swansea City will listen to offers, that’s not in doubt as Russell Martin searches for financial solutions to add depth to his squad next season. It seems as well with Martin coordinating matters on the transfer front in lieu of the departed Mark Allen there is a ruthless take on players going out. Barry Fry at Peterborough United complained to the press a few days ago regards the price on Steven Brenda’s head stating he wasn’t worth the figure of around £900,000 quoted to him by the swans boss.

We have since learned his expectation was to pay around £200,000 at the very most.

But clearly there has been no negotiation on that figure so without that occurring it’s hard to say what Swansea will accept. On Piroe there has to be an expectation of ‘at least’ £12,000,000 and that would have to come with some very well thought out add ons and sell on percentage. Clubs have to understand the swans are in the stronger position when it comes to their prized goal scorer. They are such a valuable asset in todays game and really do command the highest fees.

There is now news on Jay Fulton, Liam Walsh or Ryan Bennett, all who know they will not be in Russell Martin’s plans next season. They also know they can sit tight and do nothing as they have contracts to run far behind this summer. However, if they don’t move Martin will have no choice but to manage them if his squad depth gets weaker. Freeing up these three players would allow Martin to add in the region of £35,0000 to his weekly salary calculations, that is if he is allowed to replace like for like financially.

A big if.

Photographs licensed from Reuters

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