Nathan Wood is pretty much back to full match fitness after a long lay off this season. In fact Wood is now facing more dilemmas with just three months until his initial two year Swans contract is up.
The silence could be described as deafening, and not dissimilar to Ryan Manning last summer, the quiet is telling its own story. Despite a variety of figures thrown around since Nathan’s signing at the behest of Russell Martin for what really was a nominal fee - Wood has shone in the Swans defence. He has found his return from injury a slow progressive journey but he has played in every league game since the arrival of Luke Williams. And has completed ninety minutes in every one of those matches.
We will leave the alleged offers for his services last year, but they were well short of the figures announced.
Certain football folk have found him an inch or two short in the tackle and it’s very noticeable his pace has been found wanting since the start of January. However, getting back to the old Nathan Wood will need a new perspective for the twenty one year old. He can already set about organising his future, and for many clubs there will be some interest in his signature. And you can bet your last ten pence that his agent is touting him right now. We all know that continually happens, even if it’s swapping information between other agents. Some work sourcing players for clubs and themselves or their employers. Nathan had many milestones in his early years, the youngest to debut and play for Middlesbrough at sixteen years and seventy two days - and England caps at six levels. His time on loan at Hibernian was definitely not a success before he moved to South Wales on a two year contract, a contract which is getting very close to formally ending.
The good news is we have been advised there is a twelve month ‘relevant’ option on the players contract. And all that despite other news outlets not reporting the full facts, and that is the real leveller. The Swans are relaxed about Nathan’s position despite there being no conclusion on the first part of his contract ending at the end of this season. There are yet to be any real talks on Nathan’s future, but there will be - and the one year option could be triggered by the Swans. However, to avoid another Jamie Paterson ‘incident’ there needs to be some clear dialogue and direction in this process. The player needs to be in agreement as does the club.
The one year option will require the Swans to offer more money on to his salary, and it will mean that Nathan Wood will be at the club until the summer of 2025, but that’s the best we think we can hope for. He is a valuable player and clearly is to the head coach, hence his continual selection since that first game at Birmingham City away in January. It’s unlikely Wood will sign an extended contract, that would require a considerable hike in money, signing on and other contractual obligations. That is more than likely a situation the Swans will manage next year, not this. But who knows, there is a lack of transparency at times and the likes of Andy Coleman (Chairmen) and Ken Gude his right hand man are in their football club owning infancy. And then the Swans position will be determined by what league they are in, and the clubs majority ownership making the right decisions if the trajectory is upwards.
The same applies to other players. Most of this falls on Paul Watson’s desk after financial approval from Jason Levien (DC utd and Swansea co- owner) via Andrew Coleman. Watson has applied himself as best he can under certain restrictions to be sporting director at the Swans with some success. Options are all open for the Swans and Nathan Wood, but time is short, and these matters we are certain will be managed properly.
However, we hear from Coleman that planning for the summer and beyond is underway. So, let’s get it going then. We need stability.
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