It seems there is now a way ahead for both Ben Cabango and Harry Darling to at least sit down with Swans Chairman, Andrew Coleman and their agents to try and forge a way forwards to solve their contract issues.

We have had it confirmed that initial contact with the players and the presentation of their contracts in principle in the summer, and in early September did nothing to inspire both players to sign on again at Swansea. The offers were called derisory and as we reported both players felt very much ‘disrespected’ at that time.

First off we have to go back to August. We knew there had been discussions between the club and their agents. And that really is around the time relationships soured.

Click ⚽️ League one contracts

From there you can also see a less than happy Liam Cullen as well, in time he agreed a new contract. The timing, which was very lucky now see’s a player in the headlines for all the right reasons. You can guarantee Liam’s week playing for Wales will alert numerous clubs. And all of them will pay far more in salary than the Swans have at this moment in time. But the cards held by the Swans are very positive.

Click ⚽️ Contracts still paused

As many of our regular readers know we always follow on from our news reports, we have solid sources as has been proven regularly of late. We indicated that the Swans had outside interest and from within the club to force then majority owners, Levien and Kaplan into a corner to sell. Then of course the news on Tyler Morse being one of the key links to Coleman’s plan for the Swans in the immediate future. We are not about breaking news, we are about writing fair reports on the information we have sourced, and double checked with friendly help. You won’t find any other news site reporting these two major stories before the Indy. But being first means nothing compared to quality journalism. Isn’t it interesting that the usual handful of dissenters on Twitter are very quick to make their observations known if something is deemed (in their opinion) incorrect. And when the news comes to fruition they are the quietest mouses in the room.

Love it.

The next phase of the Harry Darling and Ben Cabango saga we reported on September 19th this year. That was after Harry Darling stated he hadn’t had any talks or contact with the Swans over his contract. That comment came with a wry smile from us, we knew that was inaccurate. Luke put that straight a few days later. As you can read below.

Click ⚽️ Luke puts Harry straight

We are now leading up to our latest information on this long running soap opera. Before that we have to make reference to Andrew Coleman of late. His decision with others to remove Kaplan and Levien, for us here at the Indy was a master stroke. It took far longer than expected but without going too deep into the finer detail (yet) the main thing to come out of it was they had gone. The small print does contain though a clause in amongst all the other finances. If the Swans return to the Premier League then both will receive ten million pounds per season they are in that league to a maximum of forty million. Is that dollars, who can say ?

But it’s fact.

On the contract situation we have had it confirmed that over late next week and going into the week after it is expected that Ben Cabango will be offered a new and improved contract by the club. His initial meeting will take place next week. Harry Darling has had his meeting rescheduled to the week after. That isn’t so simple. When we say the players we are of course referring to their agents initially. If the terms are agreeable then final talks will take place. Harry Darling holds no allegiance to the Swans, and despite making his professional name at the club there are some big money offers out there. Ben is different, for all the reasons we know. He has earned international recognition and built his profile on the back of the club who have developed him over many years. We have been told, ‘Ben doesn’t want to leave, but he wants a contract which reflects him today as an international footballer and a first team Championship regular’

Nobody will disagree with that and despite some crazy numbers being bandied about the contract offer we believe will be half a million pounds a year plus general bonuses and promotion clauses. With that of course there will be relegation clauses as well. The club have to remember the value he will bring on the pitch and with a potential future sale.

In Harry’s case we know he has an agent who is working tirelessly to bring him the very best offers they can get for the end of this current season. It would be foolish to believe the agent network isn’t fully aware of his situation and availability. We think his salary desires far outstrip that of Cabango.

With those dates set, and the leaving of Levien and Kaplan, Andrew Coleman has a slightly larger pot to work with. He was without doubt hamstrung by the club negotiations over the past five months and therefore tied into Levien’s pursestrings. That’s good news, as he now can proceed more positively. He has already indicated that over the past week or so.

However, we must forget this report.

Click ⚽️ Swans players disrespected

Again, a few days after we reported this, Luke Williams confirmed there was a way to go to mend the club and agents relationship. We did our own ‘research’ and of course stand by this as we do any of our writing on any Swans matter.

It’s been a whirlwind few weeks for Andrew Coleman, and he has most certainly earned back some of that lost respect since he arrived in Swansea last May. As we have said he is to be commended. There’s no room to play hardball now, both players are open to discussions, and the club know exactly how far they can go to secure the heart of the Swans defence.

We expect ratification of the club and its new investors very early next week.

Photographs licensed from Reuters

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