Paterson’s future with Swans now in doubt
JAMIE Paterson’s Swansea City future has been thrown into major doubt amid a row over his contract extension at the club.
Paterson is understood to be unhappy with the terms of his contract extension with Swansea and it has been revealed he missed Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Huddersfield after saying he was not in the right frame of mind to play.
The former Bristol City star arrived in Wales on a free transfer in the summer and initially signed a one-year deal.
His contract contained a clause that would allow Swansea to trigger an extended deal until the summer of 2023.
That clause was set to come into force when the player made 25 appearances. Paterson has only made 22, but there was a willingness on the two sides to bring forward his prospective extension.
But it’s the terms of that extension that have seemingly caused the current stand-off.
It’s understood Paterson was expecting better terms than what has been offered.
The situation has created a situation that could see Paterson depart before the end of the January window.
It is understood as many as three clubs are monitoring the situation, with West Brom previously credited as an admirer.
Paterson is reported to have told Martin and Swansea sporting director Mark Allen last Wednesday that he is not currently ready to play.
He has been a key figure for Swansea, scoring eight goals, and losing him would come as a huge blow.
Meanwhile, Jake Bidwell is closing in on a move from Swansea to Coventry City.
The left wing-back was omitted from Swansea’s squad for their clash with Huddersfield.
The 28-year-old is out of contract in the summer and was unable to agree fresh terms to extend his stay with the club.
As a result, Martin informed the former Everton, Queens Park Rangers and Brentford man that he could depart this month.
And he is poised to join Championship rivals Coventry in the coming days.
RUSSELL Martin says Flynn Downes has become one of Swansea City’s biggest assets following the midfielder’s starring role in his side’s 1-1 draw with Huddersfield Town.
The 22-year-old struck his first goal for the club late on at the John Smith’s Stadium to cancel out Danel Sinani’s opener in West Yorkshire.
The draw brought an end to a fourgame run of defeats for Swansea, and Martin admitted the sky is the limit for summer signing Downes following his latest impressive display.
“I’m running out of superlatives for Flynn,” said Martin.
“He came from League One. He was a really important signing for us.
“We were really supported by the owners with that signing, and I think it’s been justified because he’s one of our biggest assets.
“He has all the ingredients he needs to play at the very top.
“He knows how I feel about him and how we feel about him as a coaching staff and what his ceiling can be.
“I think he can go and play wherever he wants eventually.
“Without attracting too much attention to him for other people, Flynn, just the way he is as a boy, every day, the way he trains, how respectful he is towards his teammates, the way he conducts himself, an incredible character.
“That’s the beauty with having someone who worked with one of our coaching staff for two years who really understands the boy, even though he had a tough time towards the end at Ipswich.
“That’s the whole point of trying to play the way we want to play, to bring the best version of people out.
“He suits what we’re doing incredibly well.
“We have a lot of good players, some of them are suited more to the style of play than others.
“He certainly is that. He’s been incredible.”
After falling behind, Swansea dominated proceedings against Carlos Corberan’s side.
And Martin could not hide his de
light with his side’s efforts in what was their first league match in five weeks.
“We could maybe have had all three, and if we’d scored a winning goal, I don’t think anyone would have complained,” he said.
“I’m incredibly proud of the players for how they performed and the response in the second half, and the fans, the part they played in it.
“It was a big day for us. We’ve not had a full training group for five weeks.
“It’s been a really difficult time with the transfer window going on as well.
“The intensity and courage they showed in the second half was incredible.
“They deserved to score the goal.” Swansea return to action against Preston North End next Saturday.
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