Football Palmer looks set for Swansea move after Morrell heads off to Luton
SWANSEA City are close to agreeing a loan deal for Bristol City attacking midfielder Kasey Palmer, with an option to buy.
Steve Cooper is close to completing a swoop for the former Blackburn Rovers and Huddersfield Town man after a long-term interest in the player and discussions have progressed on a switch that could be wrapped up ahead of today’s 5pm deadline.
The Swans want to reinforce their attacking midfield ranks following an injury to Morgan Gibbs-White. The South Wales club were in talks to sign Liverpool winger Harry Wilson - with the Wales international using up the final loan spot at the club, given that Freddie Woodman, Marc Guehi. Gibbs-White and Viktor Gyokeres are all on the books for this season.
But the move for Wilson has fallen through and instead the Swans have moved on to discuss a deal with Bristol City for 23-yearold Palmer. No agreement is yet in place but there is an expectation that the move will be completed - as long as there are no last-minute hitches.
Palmer has fallen down the pecking order at Ashton Gate and is happy to fight for a place in Dean Holden’s team. However, heading over to join up with former City captain Korey Smith appeals because it is likely to mean more first-team opportunities.
There is the option to buy Palmer permanently - the terms of which are the final hold-up in talks - with the player having only started three games in past 11 months
A season on the bench for Palmer would make it difficult for City to recoup even half of the £3.5 million spent on capturing the player from
the Blues last summer. The offer enables the Robins to recoup a large investment for a player who is not featuring in the squad at the moment, despite a man-of-thematch performance against Northampton Town in the Carabao Cup second round.
City are looking to trim their midfield ranks, even though Joe Morrell’s move to Luton was confirmed yesterday.
Mark Ashton, City’s chief executive, said: “Joe is a fantastic person both on and off the pitch, he has been a great role model for youngsters coming through the academy. He has broken into the Wales squad and needs regular game-time, which he will get at Luton. We wish him well.”
Dean Holden, City’s head coach, added: “Joe is a true professional and he has come on leaps and bounds in recent seasons. He has been a pleasure to work with.
“He deserves to be involved in competitive football at a high level week-in, week-out and this is a positive move for him. We’ve had open and honest conversations since my appointment and he felt this was something he wanted to pursue. He goes with our best wishes.”
Meanwhile, Barnsley are in a fair state of flux ahead of tomorrow’s Championship game against City.
Barnsley recently lost their head coach with Gerhard Struber joining the New York Red Bulls, but the situation is not too dissimilar from this time last year when City went north.
Then it was Daniel Stendel who had left the dugout in South Yorkshire, as the Robins let a two-goal lead slip in a 2-2 draw.
“It was the same when we went up there last year for the Friday night game; Adam Murray was in charge just after Daniel Stendel left,” said Holden.