There was mild uproar when Swans Sporting Director Paul Watson was seen at last nights FA Cup game at the Vitality Stadium with Nathan Jones, the ex Luton manager. By mild uproar we refer you to Twitter (X) when both were seen on TV seated next to each other.
We all have friends who have acquaintances we probably don’t like, that’s not something that should be held against Paul Watson, even in Nathan Jones case. They were both at Luton together in their various capacities, and have been seen regularly together since Paul Watson came to Swansea. The biggest fear for Swans fans being that Nathan Jones would take the head coach role at the club. That was never going to happen, despite Paul wanting it to become a potential reality, but even he quickly learned that Jones would be run out of town due to his Cardiff City connections. It was never going to work.
Of course as many may have deduced Watson was there on company business. Part of that to meet and speak with assistant technical director at Bournemouth Simon Francis. The thrust of the discussions surrounded the potential for Jamal Lowe to come to the Swans permanently. Now, as it stands Lowe is injured, we know that, but not for a long time. On top of that his Bournemouth contract expires in the summer meaning he can now talk to clubs to fix a new deal away from the south coast. It wasn’t so much a meeting regards signing Jamal Lowe, it was more a conversation about the interest Bournemouth have received for the player.
And there has been more than a few.
The Swans already know Lowe’s valuation, whatever that is. It can’t be huge. They also know his salary and have first dibs on speaking to him daily. On the valuation issue you may ask ‘Well, why don’t the Swans wait until the summer’ ? Okay, do that and there’s no doubt another club with more salary wonga available out there to come in and steal him. That could easily happen in the next week or so.
That’s an issue.
Swansea City are receiving some unwelcome knock backs in this transfer window, they need to secure Lowe or at least get some more background on other clubs interested if possible. Agents like Jamal’s are pretty cute when it comes to this time of year. They will know some details as well, and they will also be holding out for the biggest offer salary wise as they can. More for Jamal, more for the agent. Being fully armed means you are fully aware, and for all the positing on social media it really doesn’t matter who Watson was sat next to, what matter is he does his job. With Yannick Bolasie and Jamal Lowe looking for new futures the Swans it seems want both sorted out in the coming week. Some will say that’s sufficient for the club, just get those two over the line first. It has to be said the way this window is going that could be the goal. Preserving what you have.
At twenty nine and the Swans equal top scorer on six this season Jamal for us would be a welcome addition to the squad this summer. Surely he’s done enough ?
** Rumours of Watson looking to sign another Bournemouth player have not been confirmed.