Today is the day when players can move freely between clubs right up until September 1st, and there will be plenty of business both in and out at Swansea in the coming months. For any doubters let’s think for a second. There will be a new manager and new staff all of whom will want new recruits inwards, and players are still waiting to leave. Of course if you believe the mainstream media Russell Martin will be announced ( for the fourth time ) as new Southampton manager today, and what is the chance that ?
Unlikely ? Possibly, or just another day of guess work from those who propose to know what is going on. Let’s have a look at what is going on then. Joel Latibeaudiere and Ryan Manning are still waiting on Russell Martin to give them the nod for a free agent move to the Saints, that is if you believe our inbox at Swansea Independent. Mind you some of the absurd nonsense that is bandied about around this time is quality reading, vitally, as a club we all know a few signings will be made. But can they really make a difference ? No matter who they are. The return of Luke Cundle is a possibility, and of course a few other cheap loans will be the main feature of this transfer window. Well, isn’t that the norm ? Unless of course Paul Watson, who is about to start his recruitment post at the club can energise the majority ownership, we could be just the same old Swansea trying to do it as they always have. The club decision makers need to think more positively this season or it could be like every other summer and January window, a slow and frustrating day after day process that is full of lost opportunities.
Fulton, a player the Swans could now get money for ?
It does sound really negative, but let’s be honest, it’s a better place to start there and then be full of joy if Watson does bring his magic pen with him. Seriously, Joel Piroe and Morgan Whittaker seem to be the prime candidates when it comes to boosting those Swansea coffers, we can see that happening. How much for those two ? Morgan say three million tops, Joel eight to ten ? That’s around eleven million and we haven’t spoken about Matt Grimes and Jay Fulton. Grimes is most certainly a potential Martin signing when he eventually finds his new office door. How much for them ? Grimes four million ? Fulton just the one ? To the highest bidder of course. The only bidders will be Southampton surely ? Fulton was a player who couldn’t get a kick under Martin for half a season.
The issue forJay will be his family commitments.
Grimes, get rid ?
The only real concern - because we have to be honest if you can get money for the players mentioned above then go and get it. Grimes is nearing his last decent contract as is Fulton. Morgan doesn’t want to be at Swansea and Piroe is on the last year of his contract. It’s players like Nathan Wood that need to be retained, he has flourished under Russell Martin and loved his disciplined training regimes. A wonderful club asset that really does need more time to develop under the new manager. But a big bid will turn those American heads. Having as many very good assets at the club is far better than us talking about ‘clearing out the dead wood’ because you don’t get a lot of money for floating debris.
If they did all go ( Piroe, Grimes, Fulton and Whittaker ) is sixteen million pounds too much to ask ? Add that to the new investment the Swans have recently received and some fresh thinking this summer - and surely the cheap loans and a decent one off signing will be vastly improved upon ? This could be a watershed summer for the Swans, the promise and hope will return we know, it’s already sneaking up on us. Really, there should be no negativity, just the realisation there’s millions there to make this club better come the 2023/24 season.
As long as it’s made available.