Ayew could make summer exit as Swans reshape squad
SWANSEA City could be ready to cash in on Ghana star Andre Ayew this summer. The Swans are set for a post-season rebuild in a bid to avoid the struggles that have undermined their current Premier League campaign.
And it is thought the club are keen to ship on several squad regulars as they seek to freshen up the Liberty Stadium ranks and return to the spirit and style that has underpinned previous success at the top-level.
There will be an eagerness to move on some fringe players who have failed to impress or force their way into starting contention during their time in South Wales with the likes of Eder and Franck Tabanou both contenders to see their loan stays in France turned into permanent moves.
And frustrating forward Bafetimbi Gomis – who has managed just one league goal since August – is another in line to be moved on come the end of the season, if the club can find a taker.
But it is thought that Swansea are also prepared to listen to offers for Ayew, despite the forward’s positive impact since arriving from French giants Marseille last summer.
Ayew, 26, is the Swans’ secondhighest scorer this season with eight goals to his name and has not been considered ‘a flop’ after his high-profile Bosman capture a year ago when the Liberty club saw off competition from European rivals to snap up the African.
But, after a superb start to the season, Ayew’s form has tailed off – scoring just twice since the turn of the year and it is now considered likely Swansea would not block a deal if they receive what would be deemed as a fair offer.
Swansea stood firm in January when Sunderland made several attempts to prise Ayew away from South Wales with claims the Black Cats tabled a bid worth up to £10m.
It is not clear how much Swansea would want before being prepared to see Ayew leave, but it is thought his arrival at the Liberty was always with the potential in mind he could move on after a first season in British football.
There have been no suggestions Ayew has been problematic at the club and he has played a key role in some significant results this year that should lead to guaranteed top-flight football next year, including Swansea’s first in a home win over Manchester United, a late winner at Aston Villa and the decisive strike in a narrow victory at Everton in Francesco Guidolin’s first game in charge.
But with Ayew likely to be the subject of interest, Swansea could use the cash to fund a recruitment drive that could see several new additions at the Liberty – while also freeing up vital space on the club’s wage bill. It is thought that Ayew is one of the highest paid players at the club as a result of a significant signing-on fee as part of his Bosman transfer.
Swansea could also be boosted in the transfer market should the club’s potential new American owners make cash available following the buy-out of current shareholders, discussions over which are ongoing. The US investment group have pledged to increase the Swans’ transfer budget, although the club’s Supporters Trust say they have not seen evidence of any further guaranteed funds aside from that to purchase around 60% of the club’s existing shares.
Gomis is another high-profile name who Swansea seem set to seek offers for this summer following the Frenchman’s failure to find any consistency having been prepared to move the former Lyon man on in the January window amid interest from clubs in the Middle East.
Swansea are already on the lookout for the players they hope can come in to turn around their for- tunes following their relegation scare this season, although chairman Huw Jenkins has admitted the club are keen to thrash out their managerial situation first.
Jenkins has claimed the club will make no decision on the future of Guidolin until after the final fixture of the season against Manchester City on May 15, though it is expected the Italian will not have his shortterm contract renewed. As it was in December around the time of Garry Monk’s exit, Brendan Rodgers remains a genuine Swansea target.
“Everything has to be done one step at a time,” chairman Jenkins told the South Wales Evening Post. “Naturally, the way the club is, our scouts are constantly out looking at players and we are considering different things. That’s not going to change.
“But the main point is that we have to get the head coach or manager position sorted out first.”