Barrow all set to seal Royals deal

MODOU Barrow looks to be on his way out of Swansea City after the club accepted an improved bid from Reading for the Gambian winger.

The Royals had made a £1.25million offer for Barrow earlier in this summer transfer window, but that was rejected by the Swans, who were keen to recoup the £1.5million they paid out to bring Barrow in from Swedish side FK Ostersunds in 2014.

The Berkshire club have returned with an offer to match that valuation, which could rise with various addons and will include a sell-on clause should Reading move Barrow on in the future.

Barrow, 24, is understood to be on his way to Reading to undergo a medical and discuss personal terms over the deal, and the move could yet be completed on Thursday evening.

Less than a year ago there were reports circulating that clubs, such as Southampton and Leicester, were willing to meet the £15million buyout clause in his contract.

QPR and Barnsley had also been interested in Barrow, but that was enough to convince the Royals to make sure they got their man for manager Jaap Stam and he is set to link up with the beaten play-off finalists.

Barrow was an unheralded arrival at the Liberty under Garry Monk in 2014, but he made an instant impact on his debut as a substitute against Arsenal.

His surging run into Gunners territory allowed Gylfi Sigurdsson to level, before Bafetimbi Gomis headed home the winner in a famous Swansea victory.

His game time gradually increased over the next 18 months and he started the 2016-17 season as first choice under Francesco Guidolin.

He enjoyed a fine game against Arsenal in Bob Bradley’s first game in charge, but by the turn of the year he had fallen down the pecking order and Paul Clement was happy for Barrow to head to Leeds on loan.

Despite being reunited with Monk, Barrow failed to shine in Yorkshire and played little part in Leeds’ ultimately unsuccessful bid to secure a play-off berth. He was involved at the start of Swansea’s pre-season preparations, but he was the only unused outfield substitute in the US tour finale against North Carolina, and was not in the matchday squad for the weekend victory over Birmingham, suggesting he was surplus to requirements.