Swans well backed to sign Boudebouz

BOOKMAKERS have Swansea City among the leading contenders to sign Montpellier’s Ryad Boudebouz.

The 27-year-old Algerian international had a superb season in Ligue 1 last term, and has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League this summer.

He scored 11 goals in 33 topflight appearances and also racked up nine assists.

Boudebouz is an impressive setpiece taker, and also took on penalty duties during his time with Montpellier.

West Ham (2/1) and Newcastle (9/2) are said to be in the driving seat according to Ladbrokes , but the Swans are as short as 5/1 to land a deal for Boudebouz, who would be a potential Gylfi Sigurdsson replacement in the Swans’ No. 10 role.

Boudebouz joined Montpellier from Bastia for just £1.45million in 2015, and Real Betis are reported to have made an offer of £6million for the player, which is expected to be knocked back.

But a figure closer to £8.5million is thought to be required to secure his services. Swansea were said to have made a £7million offer on deadline day in January.

Swansea have already shown interest in deals to bring in Jonathan Viera from Las Palmas and Nacer Chadli from West Brom to fill the role should Sigurdsson finally complete a move to Everton after a drawn-out transfer saga.

Captain Leon Britton has said he is resigned to losing the Iceland international before the end of the summer transfer window.