Swansea City haven’t finished their player acquisitions this summer by a ‘long stretch’ we are told this afternoon with SV Werder Bremen defender Lee Buchanan very much in the clubs sights. Buchanan joined Werder Bremen last summer after a legal wrangle over his transfer which FIFA eventually arbitrated.

A legal loophole allowed Buchanan out of his contract following the sale of Derby County, Derby would not be entitled to any compensation for the transfer, with them asking for a FIFA tribunal in order to receive a fee. They eventually were paid a figure ‘rumoured’ to be half a million for training compensation.

Buchanan (below) played twenty games for the German club last season. We are told the Swans are happy to pay for the player or take him on loan pending a transfer for the left sided defender. Reports on the twenty two year old are most certainly accurate with Sporting Director Paul Watson being the main motivation behind this inquiry. As this summer progresses you get the impression this is more of a rebuild of the Swans squad as more links are made to the Swansea.Com Stadium.

Buchanan is an England under 21 international who said on arriving at Werder Bremen last season. : “Werder Bremen are still a big name in Europe, even if the last few years haven’t been so successful. I’m looking forward to my time here, to meeting the fans and playing in the Bundesliga. It’s one of the best leagues in Europe.” Lee Buchanan came through Derby County’s academy and went on to play seventy times for them in the Championship. That experience is something Watson has identified as just what the Swans require for the coming season.

Wayne’s Rooney talking about Buchanan when at Derby amidst West Ham interest said. “He’s a top, top player. I’d argue he’s one of the best young left-backs in the country. And he can go to another level as well….no….he’s a real top player.”

The Swans face stiff competition for Buchanan with Coventry City also in the mix for his services.

SV Werder Bremen are known as ‘ Die Werderaner ‘ in Germany translated as ‘The River Islanders’ but you can bet your bottom dollar he won’t be available at a knock down price in any sales.

More on this as we get it.

Photographs licensed from Reuters