Portuguese Primeira Liga Side, Moreirense FC (Green & Whites) have had contact from Swansea City over their player, Gonçalo Franco. The midfielder is twenty three and his contract is up at the end of June next year. We had to check on the information we received yesterday afternoon as diligently as we could, and believe this player is a target for the Swans.

And things are progressing quickly.

Moreirense finished sixth in the top flight last season, and this after a promotion from the Segunda Liga at the end of the 22/23 season. Franco has played in all the league games for his club bar one last season which he missed due to suspension. His club play in the Braga district of Portugal, and in fact later today with play Braga in a friendly. Speculation is Franco won’t be there having withdrawn from training yesterday. Last season Braga did the double on Moreirense, but there is a new found rivalry. The stadium the ‘Green & Whites’ play in has a reduced capacity of around 6,500 and is called, Joaquim de Almeida Park. Reports have said Franco’s club played well above themselves last season. And there’s no doubt this Swans target was one of the main reasons.

Franco isn’t a main source of goals, playing predominantly in midfield. A more defensive position is favoured by the player. Last season in his thirty three games he scored two goals with four assists, so nothing stands out from his immediate stats. However, it’s his dogged ability and ruthless tackling which has drawn attention to him. Something Matt Grimes would welcome we are certain. The issue for the Swans is Galatasaray were interested, and despite the Swans being able to offer a ‘potentially’ better platform for the future, that’s some competition. We all know how other Swansea City successes have fared in the past. Franco it is suggested is on a pretty low salary at Moreirense, possibly as low as €1,500 (euro) a week with bonuses, his price range is achievable, and most certainly a wage fitting of a Swansea City player is most certainly there for him.

The Galatasaray interest has cooled, especially when it was being reported four weeks ago Franco was on his way. Benfica were also mentioned at the time. Why that is or was is open to speculation, by all accounts a two million euro fee was agreed. Thats the Turkish press at work mind.

⚽️ Have a look at Franco below.

⚽️ Some stats from last season here.

Once again you have to think that this player has come from a statistical evaluation by the Swans. The clubs reliance on this form of player identification is well known. Sporting Director, Paul Watson will be the driver of course but analysis including the players antecedents will have been done thoroughly. Swansea City followers will want some good news this week, Eom Ji-Sung is ‘expected’ to be announced today officially. However, that particular transfer has been drawn out by his club, Gwangju FC we hope for no more hitches there. The latest is he is already on route to Wales.

Five weeks ago now we reported on Adama Sidebeh, that has progressed with the situation now beyond just interest.

⚽️ Here is his profile —> ⚽️ Adama report early June

⚽️ Eom Ji-Sung update.

We hope you have gained some more information on Franco, and also have enjoyed our profile this morning. Thanks for supporting the Brain Tumour Charity and Swansea Independent.

Stats : FotMob
Eom photo :T.Jeong0708

All photographs licensed from Reuters

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