As expected, and as it now seems Everton striker Ellis Simms is on his way to Coventry City barring any last minute hitches. With both Swansea City and Everton ‘allegedly’ looking for a player swap deal with Joel Piroe and Simms changing clubs we have been told that never really got off the ground after a brief Everton inquiry.
Both Swansea and Everton value their assets highly and talk of a straight forward swap deal was never going to happen. Simms value by comparison to Joel Piroe is not on equal terms by any stretch of the imagination. Simms did have a brief half season of success at Sunderland on loan last season scoring seven goals in seventeen appearances before being recalled by the Toffee’s. He made twelve appearances for his parent club scoring one goal at Chelsea to earn a draw, the other eleven were one full - and then ten part appearances for the twenty two year old.
His stock is nowhere near that of Joel Piroe.
Barring any last minute hitches it looks as if Coventry is his destination, unless of course as we saw with Flynn Downes last season between Crystal Palace and West Ham a last minute approach is made. Speaking to a supporter of the website last night we were told that Swansea were never going to be interested in the aforementioned straight player swap, and it was never the clubs intention to do so. If anything it would be Everton who would have to include a considerable sum plus Simms to get Piroe.
The issue there of course is the Premier League is Piroe’s preferred destination. He has a year left to run on his contract at Swansea, he has had two seasons of goalscoring success at the club so he and his father feel his next step should be the Premier League. We don’t disagree, but getting another top flight club interested is difficult, not impossible of course but with Everton ‘seemingly’ now not an option it may well be Piroe will have to play a waiting game.
We have also been told that Joel has not in any way let the transfer talk or speculation get in the way of his training and day to day involvement at Swansea City. Remaining the consummate professional he has worked as tirelessly as ever, turns up on time and is only focussed on what new Swans manager Michael Duff wants fitness wise and strategically. In fact barring any changes to his personal circumstances he is focussed on the new Swansea season and the pre season friendlies to come.
What a breath of fresh air that is to hear.
The Swans would no doubt prefer to secure a big fee for Piroe this summer but are prepared to wait as the months of July and August develop to take a longer view on his future. With Joel Latibeaudiere and Ryan Manning off the wage bill that’s a big saving already. The two players coming in, Josh Ginnelly and Josh Key have halved the deficit so the Swans seem relaxed on the Piroe situation.
Transfers do throw up some last minute twists, so we will keep an eye on Simms who is reportedly ready to sign for Coventry City over this weekend.