Swansea boss Cooper may make new move to sign Walsh
SWANSEA City could be set to take another prime free agent from Bristol City for the second summer in succession, with the Swans keen on Liam Walsh.
The Bristol Post understands Steve Cooper had targeted Walsh last summer, following his superb campaign in Coventry’s promotion from League One, but any chance of bringing the midfielder to the Liberty Stadium was ended once City activated the 12-month option in his contract.
On Friday, Walsh was confirmed among the 11 players who are to be released by City this summer as their deals expire, with the 23-yearold rejecting terms after talks ran into Thursday evening.
That has left the door open for Swansea to make a fresh approach to Walsh’s representatives and the Bristol Post has learned the package presented is more than what City were prepared to pay the Everton academy graduate. Last summer Swansea signed Korey Smith on a free transfer after the midfielder was released due to concerns over his injury issues, having made 22 starts in two years.
Smith has been a significant addition for the Swans, anchoring their midfield alongside Matt Grimes, and making 27 starts - his most since 2017-18 - as they finished fourth and are now preparing for a play-off semi-final against Barnsley.
Walsh’s time at City has also been dogged by injury issues, suffering a torn knee ligament during the 201819 campaign which then led to Lee Johnson sending him to Coventry
to build up his match fitness. Walsh responded by helping guide the Sky Blues to the League One title with a series of influential displays, scoring three goals in 26 games with five assists and claiming the club’s player of the year award.
That had set him up for a breakout season at City, with Dean Holden replacing Johnson, but Walsh never got going, sustaining a thigh injury and then a hamstring problem which reduced him to just three appearances.
The Bristol Post understands he, along with close friend and Robins team-mate Joe Williams, was among the players frustrated with how his recovery was managed.