SPORT Swans start search as Gylfi completes move
GYLFI Sigurdsson last night completed his record £45m move to Everton – leaving Swansea City looking to make swift progress on their bid to replace him.
And there are hopes that as many as three new faces could arrive to soften the blow at the Liberty before time is called on summer business.
Sigurdsson was finally confirmed as an Everton player yesterday evening, signing a five-year deal and bringing to an end a year-long chase from the Toffees for the 27-year-old.
It has been a pursuit that has come to a head over the past month, with both Everton and Swansea locked in tense talks following Sigurdsson’s refusal to head off on pre-season tour with the rest of Paul Clement’s squad – a move that put the Liberty club in no doubt the 27-year-old had his sights set on a move to Goodison.
Yet a deal was only thrashed out and agreed in the past few days, which now leaves Swansea up against the clock in a bid to bring in the necessary reinforcements before the August 31 transfer deadline.
Swansea have already made initial approaches for West Brom’s Nacer Chadli and Manchester City striker Wilfried Bony while also making a £20m bid for ex-youth star Joe Allen, though they are not thought to be the only targets.
Clement claimed last week he was confident the club would be able to move quickly to strengthen his squad once Sigurdsson’s move had been made formal, but will now want to make sure his confidence was well-placed.
In their statement confirming the deal, Swansea declared the fee as undisclosed, though it is thought to be a package worth around £45m, with £40m of which is guaranteed and the remainder in add-ons.
It breaks the £28m record fee received by Swansea for a player when Bony was sold to Manchester City in 2015, as well as becoming the biggest transfer fee paid in Everton’s history.
Everton boss Ronald Koeman believes that has bought his side “one of the best players in the Premier League”, while Sigurdsson claimed working under the former Barcelona and Netherlands ace was a huge factor in wanting to quit Swansea.
Sigurdsson, Swansea’s player of the year for the past two seasons, said: “He was a great player, one of the top players of his time. Now he is a really good manager and his vision for Everton is clear. He has built up a really good squad here, with strong players, both young and experienced. This was a key factor for me.
“This is an ambitious club and it is clear we are moving in a really good direction. The most important thing is that this team keeps winning games and climbing the table – and does that throughout the season.”
Koeman added: “It took some time, but finally we have signed the player [who] in my opinion, in his position is one of the best in the Premier League. We have the player here and that’s really good for the team.
“From the beginning, he was one of the key players we wanted to bring to Everton. That’s because of his quality, first and foremost, and his experience in the Premier League.”
What next for Swans: Pages 46&47