Blues swoop for Swansea aces unlikely

POMPEY are looking increasingly unlikely to develop their interest in permanent moves for Swansea’s array of attacking talent.

The Blues have been linked with bids for Swans trio Morgan Whittaker, Kyle Joseph and Liam Cullen this summer as they rebuild their forward options.

But the cost of funding a permanent deal for any of the players is looking likely to be prohibitive, at this stage – now leaving a loan as the most likely path to a switch.

Reports in Wales have suggested Swans boss Russell Martin would be prepared to let the players leave in this window. But that would come at a price with all three tied down to contracts.

Both Joseph and Whittaker have three years remaining on their agreements, while Cullen is tied down until 2024.

Pompey have said transfer fees are available for the right additions, but The News understands the only way permanent moves would presently accelerate for the Swansea players is if they were allowed to leave on free transfers.

That appears highly unlikely given Whittaker arrived from Derby for around £700,000 in January 2021, while Joseph came in from Wigan for an initial £500,000 last June, plus Swansea’s work developing Cullen through their ranks.

The Swans hold a lengthy interest in Marcus Harness and the prospect of a player swap deal with the winger has been mooted.

Pompey want to recoup the £750,000 they paid Burton in 2019 for the winger, who’s looking likely to leave this summer.

Cowley was understood to want a permanent rather than loan stay for the Swansea players, but a temporary agreement is now looking the most likely route of travel if any move is to progress.