Swansea City loan deals are not yet finalised & here is why
Saturday, 29th Jul 2023 07:00 by @Cornish67David

Swansea City are fully focussed on getting two loan signings in to the club this week with both of them still in the USA for a few more days. The first is goalkeeper Carl Rushworth of Brighton, and the more important one is Harrison Ashby of Newcastle United. I say more important as Ashby is most certainly going to be a welcome sight after recent performances by Swansea.

Although Ashby plays on the right of defence he can also play further forward if needs be. The issue there is Josh Key is already filling a wing back role for the Swans so we are yet to see the thinking behind this move until the big kick off next weekend.

The Ashby transfer does concern me, it isn’t one hundred percent finalised, there still work to do regardless of what is being reported and here’s why. Jamal Lewis, who is a team mate of Ashby was a late call up for the Magpies USA tour, he has been linked to the Swans in recent times. Both Ashby and Lewis are going out on loan to a Championship club this season. Whilst Watford didn’t hang around in their pursuit of Lewis ( he signed on a season long loan three days ago ) it seems Ashby has stalled. It can’t be because of locations, being in the USA is no different to being anywhere else in the world. The convenience of waiting for Ashby to return to these shores is Swansea won’t have to pay his wages until the new season is almost upon us.

I’m sticking my neck out there but that’s my opinion. And it isn’t just mine either.

Watford have tied down Lewis on a loan with a view to a permanent transfer, we did report his availability on a more permanent basis last week. Watford seemed to be quick off the mark here whilst sadly the Swans are hoping and waiting for Ashby to return to sort out the detail of his loan. Then there’s moving to Swansea, new team and players, time introduce himself to the squad, and of course Michael Duff. All in the three days or so before the season starts. It’s hardly beneficial for the player let alone the club.

Really ? Is that a player ready for next Saturday at 3pm ?

And I’m still putting a question mark on Ashby, if it’s not sealed then it’s still got potential to fail. Michael Duff admitted this himself after the defeat to Bristol Rovers. Talking on transfers ( he just mentioned one coming in which is unnerving ) he said, “I won’t give names until it’s signed. I’ve been in football too long. It’s not fair on a player if it goes wrong – it might be a medical issue or something like that – and you might get poached by somebody else” Well, here’s hoping the latter doesn’t happen just to either save a few quid or because the usual lengthy and drawn out decision making is back in favour at Swansea City. It’s one or the other.

Ask Watford.

There is some frustration about at the moment. Duff wants half a team, he said so himself last week, the players brought in haven’t replaced those who have left, and it’s all got another annoying flavour about it all. Fans look at the millions coming in, or that’s their assumption, and then see what is spent, yes they do get dejected. Either way the last minute ‘player sales’ aren’t quite with us yet, but the ‘get it while you can ‘ offers are slowly selling out. Clubs will be hard at it this week and players like Ashby can be persuaded to change their minds.

Here’s hoping not, but it’s a dangerous game to play.

And it’s not even Sunday !