DEAL OR NO DEAL?
WE LOOK AT WHETHER SWANS REALLY CAN BAG THEIR TRANSFER TARGETS:
THERE hasn’t been any movement (yet) at the Liberty Stadium, but there have been several players linked with Swansea City over the past few weeks.
Manager Carlos Carvalhal has said he wants to bring in three players to help Swansea out of the relegation mire, the same number specified by previous boss Paul Clement.
Swansea will be in the “global market” for players, according to the Portuguese.
Swansea need a creative spark in the traditional No.10 role, as well as a wide man and a utility full-back.
Here, we’ve rounded up all the players linked and rated the likelihood of them arriving in SA1 this month...
Leigh Griffiths
The 27-year-old Celtic striker has been a linked with Swansea in the past few days.
Sporting Kansas City are also in the hunt for the Scotland international, who would be available for around £7million. He has a good record in the SPL, but would that transfer to the Premier League? On the flip side, Griffiths is playing in front of 60,000 week-in, week-out, and has European football almost guaranteed each year. Would he want to move?
Swansea certainly need goals, but a creator is the more pressing issue at the moment. Chances of signing: 2/5
Diafra Sakho
The West Ham forward is leaving the London Stadium this month, as confirmed by his agent and the 28-year-old wants game-time before this summer’s World Cup finals in Russia.
He has been mentioned as a possible makeweight in any Alfie Mawson to Hammers deal.
Swansea have definite interest, but Everton seem to in the box-seat due to Sam Allardyce’s close relationship with David Moyes. Chances of signing: 3/5
Andre Ayew
It hasn’t really worked for the former Swan in London, with his time in Stratford marred by injury and inconsistent form. Any return to SA1 would have to see a massive compromise on wages, as Ayew signed a bumper contract when he left Landore in a £20million deal in 2016 and chairman Huw Jenkins had admitted it could prove a stumbling block to any Liberty return.
Again, West Ham may seek to use him as leverage in any offer they are prepared to table for Mawson. Chances of signing: 2/5
Jonathan Viera
Links with the Spaniard go back to last summer when Swansea had a £25million offer knocked back by Las Palmas. The La Liga club are currently bottom of the pile in Spain and are reluctant to sell their star man this month, especially for anything less than his buyout clause of 30million euros.
Would be perfect for Swansea, but you get the impression this ship has sailed. Chances of signing: 2/5
Nacer Chadli
The Belgian is currently sidelined with a hip problem that will keep him out of action for the next two months.
It has scuppered any hope Swansea had of luring the former Tottenham man to south Wales.
A deal may have been close in the summer, but it is dead in the water now. Chances of signing: 0/5
Daniel Opare
The athletic and attack-minded full-back plays for Augsburg in Germany, and has been on Swansea’s radar for some time.
The defender can play on either flank and would be available for around £3million.
One to watch, although it is understood Swansea have other defensive irons in the fire. Chances of signing: 2/5
Ryan Fredericks
The Fulham full-back is being chased by Swansea and Stoke City.
Swansea have confirmed their
interest in the Tottenham product, and with the defender out of contract this summer, he would fit into the club’s recruitment structure.
Keep a close eye on this one. Chances of signing: 4/5
Aleksandar Mitrovic
Swansea have scouted Serbian Mitrovic for years and were interested in signing the volatile striker while he was at Anderlecht.
He is due to leave Newcastle this month to get minutes under his belt, but it is highly unlikely he will find them in Landore. SkyBet put Swansea in the running, but don’t hold your breath. Chances of signing: 1/5
Andy Yiadom
Looked a nailed-on bet this month after a last-minute hold-up with paperwork scuppered his move to the Liberty last August.
But other targets have leaped above the Ghanaian in the pecking order in the intervening weeks and months.
Swansea do, though, need at least one full-back, so could afford to add another to their ranks.
The fact they have scouted the Barnsley man for a long time suggests they won’t just give up on him.
This could still happen. Chances of signing: 3/5
Jarrod Bowen
The Hull City youngster has caught the eye in the Championship this season.
The Hereford United product has scored 11 goals in 26 appearances for the Tigers this campaign.
One for the future, perhaps, but Swansea already have an up-andcoming forward in Oli McBurnie. Why not stick with him? Chances of signing: 2/5