Expect a busy month
THE January transfer window is just one month away.
It’s long been clear that Swansea City are eager to conduct business to supplement a side that has shown significant progress under the current regime in the four months since they’ve been in situ.
“There’s a couple of areas where we still haven’t got the depth maybe we would like,” said Russell Martin after Saturday’s 3-2 loss to Reading.
Swansea are hoping to make multiple signings, while several players could depart in Martin’s first full transfer window as Swansea boss.
A creative player remains on the wish list, with Manchester City’s James Mcatee being an option in that regard.
The 19-year-old made his Premier League bow for Pep Guardiola’s side in a 3-0 win over Everton last month, although he could well leave the Etihad Stadium on loan in the New Year.
Mcatee is well known by Swansea’s sporting director Mark Allen, who was academy director at Man City for eight years before moving to Rangers in 2017.
The goalkeeping situation has also changed in recent months, with Ben Hamer now the first choice between the sticks, which has left Steven
Benda sitting on the bench since the 2-0 Carabao Cup loss to Brighton on September 22.
And it’s understood Swansea are targeting a swoop for MK Dons goalkeeper Andy Fisher, who Martin knows well from his time at Stadium MK.
Fisher would seamlessly slot in with the Swans’ current style of play and would be brought in with a view to becoming the club’s long-term number one, with Swansea keen to trigger the one-year extension option in Hamer’s deal given that his contract expires next summer.
Elsewhere, the defensive situation could well change, and The Athletic sports website recently reported that Swansea and Nottingham Forest are monitoring Brighton’s Haydon Roberts. The 19-year-old has made three Carabao Cup appearances for the Seagulls under Graham Potter this season and could be allowed to leave the Amex Stadium on loan next month.
Roberts, who spent the 2020-21 campaign on loan at Rochdale, is predominantly a centre-back, although he can also operate in central midfield.
Matt Grimes is one man who is now intent on staying in South Wales having signed a new four-year contract with the Swans.
But some exits remain likely when it comes to the forthcoming window.
The changed goalkeeping situation could have ramifications for Steven Benda, who wants to play regularly, although the German’s situation could hinge on a potential incoming. The 23-year-old’s contract runs until the summer of 2024.
Yan Dhanda has just 281 minutes of action in all competitions to his name this term and was substituted in the opening half of the 3-1 loss to Stoke City in his only league start of the campaign.
And having fallen behind the likes of Jamie Paterson and Olivier Ntcham in the pecking order, the writing appears to be on the wall for the former Liverpool youngster, whose contract expires next summer.
Jay Fulton is another man who has been unable to nail down a regular place in the starting XI, the Scot making just six appearances in all competitions this season.
Swansea are blessed with options in the centre of the park at present and, should Fulton be eager to move on to pastures new, the Swans would expect to recoup a decent fee for the 27-year-old, who earlier this year signed fresh terms to stay in South Wales until 2024.
Fulton, who joined Swansea from Falkirk in 2014, is understood to have attracted interest from Championship rivals Nottingham Forest, who are of course now managed by former Swansea boss Steve Cooper.
The careers of Rhys Williams and Michael Obafemi have not gone to plan since their moves from Liverpool and Southampton respectively on transfer deadline day, so their situations will be closely monitored.
As for Morgan Whittaker, the Swans were open to allowing him to depart on a temporary basis in the summer window, with Lincoln City keen on a swoop for the attacker just a few months ago.
The Imps are expected to revive their interest in the former Derby County man, although sources have stated Swansea’s coaches have been hugely impressed with Whittaker’s determination to prove his worth.
Youngsters Dan Williams and Tivonge Rushesha are among those who are champing at the bit to play regular football at senior level and
could well benefit from a loan move away from Swansea, although there is thought to be no immediate rush for the pair to step up from the under23s.
But it’s already plain that Swansea are in for a busy January as they bid to remain on an upward curve under the group of staff who took over just four months ago.