We’ve all heard the groans and moans from (all of us really) the swans fanbase this summer. And yes we are fully aware more work needs doing as the transfer wire gets closer. But there are two players who need sorting out now. And they are right in the ‘building’ - already at Swansea.
Quite simply Harry Darling and Ben Cabango are out of contract at the end of this season. And there has been very little talk from the club on the state of play with new contracts. In Ben’s case he has played just under two hundred games for the Swans, and if he stays on after this month he will no doubt break that barrier. There are no extensions or agreements that we are aware of and that’s the same for Harry Darling.
Harry has played seventy plus games for the Swans, and very few will argue he hasn’t improved dramatically in his centre back role. For us he is captain material. Nothing formal seems to have occurred but we haven’t been able to get clear confirmation on that. We have very good sources close to Wasserman who act for Ben, and we would have heard something. We believe that Swansea City are still open for a few big sales this August if offers come in. And that’s why the club are stalling on these two players. Harry Darling we refer to especially, and both of these players have nothing to lose either way.
If a decent bid came in we are certain the Chairman, Andrew Coleman would jump at it and then work furiously to appease the supporters in the usual late surge of activity we are so used to. In fact which is happening now. The price of course would have to be serious. It’s only our perspective, but would you sell Darling for less than five million pounds at such a crucial time of the window ? It’s one for you to answer, your reaction to him leaving and the price is your guess. At twenty five he will be looking for a decent contract. And we are not sure Swansea City can offer it to him.
It’s just at this moment in time he has numerous options.
As does Ben Cabango, a full Wales international who has come through the clubs academy system and is a definite success all round. He is now twenty four, obviously happy at the club and in Wales, but is that the level of his expectations ? It’s hard to put a price on him in conversation, it would be less than Harry for sure. But how far below ?
And why all this concern about two of the better, and in Darling’s case possibly the best defender at the club ? There’s not many to choose from mind. It is quite simple, the club are not offering contracts like they used to, there’s a clear commitment to cut costs wherever they can. That’s the reason Tyrese Campbell isn’t a Swans player. The money wasn’t there. We have covered the profit and sustainability questions so many times on this website, with input from Kieran Maguire, and it’s not even in doubt that the Swans have no choice but to cut their cloth much more thoughtful.
The utter nonsense written about Harry’s earnings at Swansea are so far off it’s humiliating for even the best websites to touch, but some do. Harry Darling is not on a million pounds a year. Whatever he is on it is way, way less than that. However, with the Swans saving money can they even offer him a contract with any improvement ? Is that why the club could let him slip through their fingers ? Ben as well. He is on a lower salary for sure, but both players know that there’s almost half of the Championship ready to offer them far more money than they can ever get at Swansea.
They are tied into some very experienced agents. They will have been well advised.
It only leaves us to think that the club intend to bring the issue to a close after the summer window. And all this whilst we wait for Luke Williams ‘interesting news ‘ later today or tomorrow.
This next two weeks are going to be the same as ever, and probably more.