Swansea stars set to stay
STEVE Cooper has said Swansea City will not be losing any of their star players before today’s transfer deadline.
Sam Surridge, Kristoffer Peterson and Kristoffer Nordfeldt have all left this month, with Swansea bringing in Rhian Brewster, Conor Gallagher and Marc Guehi on loan deals.
In addition to the three exits, there has been plenty of talk surrounding the futures of key players including Andre Ayew and Bersant Celina.
Top scorer Ayew has been an instrumental figure for the Swans so far this term and has been repeatedly linked with a move away from the Liberty Stadium due to the club’s financial situation.
But Cooper has stated that Swansea will keep hold of their best players while confirming that they won’t be making any more signings unless other squad players depart first.
“We won’t lose any players that we don’t want to lose,” he said.
“I’ve been asked a million times about Andre, and there’s no news on that by the way, without wanting to tempt fate by bringing it up, but there’ll be none of that going on.
“If any players leave it’ll be right for them and for us as well.”
And on the possibility of further signings, the head coach said: “I think players will need to go first.
“I thought I might have had some updates coming into this press conference, but there isn’t.
“I don’t want to throw in any rumours or what might be just in case it doesn’t happen, but there certainly are some movements for our players leaving.
“It needs to happen sooner rather than later because time is ticking, but there is no real information, and because of that no one is coming in.”
It appears likely that members of the club’s Under-23s could leave on loan, while Cooper has ruled out making any further loan additions.
Declan John has emerged as a transfer target for League One outfit
Sunderland, with the Black Cats’ manager Phil Parkinson confirming his side have shown an interest in the Wales international.
Although – after confirming Sunderland’s interest – Cooper admitted that nothing official had been put in place for John to secure a move to the Stadium of Light.
“We’re aware of that. That’s one of the things that might happen but at the moment, isn’t going through that process,” he added.
“I know Sunderland played last night so I’m not sure what their movements are this week.
“I can confirm that rumour as being true, they have shown an interest, but I don’t think it’s gone much further than that yet.”
Swansea will once again be without Mike van der Hoorn for this weekend’s trip to Preston.
Jordon Garrick returned to full training ahead of the game in Lancashire, although the winger will not be risked at Deepdale.
Cooper is sweating on the fitness of right-back Connor Roberts who was withdrawn in the second half of the 2-0 loss to Stoke City last time out due to a shoulder problem.
But he will be able to call upon the services of Kyle Naughton who has recovered from the illness that ruled him out of the game at the bet365 Stadium.
Meanwhile, striker Borja Baston has been offered a route out of the Liberty Stadium.
The Spaniard then had to make do with appearances from the bench, and the arrival of Brewster from Liverpool has seen his opportunities in Cooper’s starting XI blocked.
There was always the potential that the 27-year-old could move on before Friday’s 11pm deadline and that possibility has now emerged, with French outlet L’Equipe reporting that Ligue 1 side Bordeaux have been offered the striker on a six-month loan deal.
If that were to play out it would mean Borja would have played his last game in a Swansea shirt, with his contract expiring at the end of the season.