Saturday 25 May 2013

Swansea City - 10 possible signings

Michael Laudrup has stated to the Welsh media that unless he is promised funds for the summer then he cannot guarantee he will stay. I agree with him in this instance, the club is completely stable and with a profit of 15.9 million last year and that doesn't include some of the players they sold like Joe Allen, Danny Graham etc. The Swans need to spend, their most expensive signings being the joint club record fee they paid for Pablo Hernandez and Ki-Seung Yeung. I can see that being eclipsed this summer.Swansea finished 9th in the Premier League which gives them around 7.2 million add that to the millions they will acquire next term you have to wonder why it's not being ploughed back into the team that's keeping them in the league.

1 - Iago Aspas - Celta Vigo - La Liga


Iago Aspas has been the shining light in what has been a poor debut season in La Liga for Celta Vigo. After 36 games Celta currently occupy 20th place in La Liga and even though the gap is only 4 points from Deportivo La Coruna you can not see Celta winning both their games and Deportivo not taking anything, stranger things have happened but it looks like they will drop down to Segunda. This essentially means they will have to offload their strongest asset and for even cheaper than their asking price or his buy-out class for that matter. His clause is 8 million but you can see them losing him for around 6 if the right buyer comes in. He can play as either an out and out striker or a secondary striker in the form of Michu or even a wide player. His versatility could be a huge asset. 11 goals in La Liga for a struggling side is an accomplished sum.

2 - Jose Canas - Real Betis - La Liga


Another recruit from La-Liga, report in Spain understand that Canas had already signed a pre-contract agreement in January so that he can sign this summer. He occupies the holding midfielder role and has a bit of height around him which could be valuable in the engine room for Swansea City. His displays in La Liga have given Real Betis a lofty position. What he does well is the fact he reads the game well and does the simple things. He's not going to create numerous chances or score plenty of goals but he will defend well and distribute ball. Similar mould to Swansea's own Leon Britton. Will join on a free transfer if reports are to be confirmed.

3 - Romelu Lukaku - Chelsea - Premier League



Romelu Lukaku has been instrumental in the success of West Brom this season of course playing on loan there from Chelsea. You have to wonder how he's not been given a chance at the Blues. He was the 6th top scorer in PL with 17 just behind Swansea's own Michu so the idea of putting them both in contrast of one another could be very appealing. Swansea will search for a season long loan again but that could depend on the future Chelsea manager position and also the needs of the powerhouse striker himself. With rumours of him wanting to go to Dortmund. Would be a crucial asset to Swansea if completed.

4 - Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - Saint Etienne - Ligue 1


We all know Swansea are in the market for a striker and reports in France claim that Swansea, Spurs and other top sides have shows interest in the 19 goals in Ligue 1 Gabonese striker. Speed and strength are this player's main assets and is coming into the latter stages of his contract so could be interested in a move to the Premier League to test himself. Also very young at 23 so can only improve as a footballer and could be sold on in future. Could be an outsider signing for the summer so keep an eye on this one.

5 - Albert Botia - Sevilla - La Liga



All these attacking re-inforcements and what we have to remember is that Swansea are short of quality in the heart of their defence. If reports are true that Ashley Williams is close to a switch to Arsenal then Swansea have lost not only their captain/leader but also the rock at the back. Botia could be seen as a replacement and at the age of 24 there are plenty of years in this player. It's nowhere near a replacement for Williams but at least it's a start, just like all Swansea signings he has played at top level which is crucial. Remember Botia came through at Barcelona.

6 - Andros Towsend/Scott Sinclair - Spurs/Man City - Premier League


Two players of equal status right now, Townsend who was on loan at QPR this season was a highlight in an anotherwise poor season. Scott Sinclair a familiar figure in Swansea's rise to the Premier League and partially their success in their first season has cut a forlorn figure at Man City. Only 4 starts all season and a blood clot in his shoulder just signify how low a season he's had. He knew once he moved that starts would be limited but sacrificing 40 games a season for 10 at most is a massive change. I believe that a return could have been on the cards had he not been ruled out because of the blood clot damaging his pre-season. Townsend on the other hand has been subject of a betting charge and has pulled out of the under 21s tournament this summer. Both possible signings but recent events could have put a spanner in the works. 

7 - Kenwyn Jones - Stoke - Premier League


Stories in January were rife with speculation that Jones was signing for Swansea, it came just as Swansea were about to play Stoke as well and surrounded the whole event. Kenwyn is in the same form as Lukaku but is more established but in that respect much older. Whereas Lukaku has more raw talent and younger. What he offers is strength and power and he wins a fair share of headers and can retain the ball. He hardly got a look in towards the latter end of Stoke's season and his work rate and passing ability has been questioned. Could possible relight this transfer in the summer especially with Swansea's need for attackers.

8 - Bradley Johnson - Norwich City - Premier League


What Swansea lack in essence is a midfielder who makes a lot of tackles and will get among the midfield and really impose his mark. Bradley Johnson is someone who could offer that and Norwich were quick to deny reports at the end of the season that he was on Swansea's radar. Johnson like Snodgrass for Norwich are two players who really put themselves about and it's something Swansea lack perhaps being too nice at times. Norwich put in some huge performances this season and Johnson was key to this. A grafter in the midfield allows the more creative players a licence to roam. Could be possible subject to other players.

9 - Marcus Alonso - Bolton Wanderers - Npower Championship



An old story here which was possible in January but seems faltering now with the emergence of Ben Davies and the form of Dwight Tiendalli could scupper that move but it could still be one to watch. The Ex Real Madrid youngster has been a huge player for Bolton in past seasons including their Championship push. He has experience at the top level but with Swansea having the luxury of having two full backs on both sides it's something they don't have to worry about as opposed to before this season.

10 - Arouna Kone - Wigan Athletic - Npower Championship


Arouna Kone has been one of the success stories at Wigan alongside the front three of Shaun Maloney and Callum Mcmanaman. 13 goals this season and his ability to retain ball and run the channels has been vitally important. Wigan won the FA cup but also got relegated in the same season, a stat never achieved before. Kone has that bit of pace, almost an element of Obafemi Martins, interestingly both played for Levante. Swansea have always had pace throughout the side but never a striker and this could be a possible signing especially with Wigan needing to offload players to balance the books. Great season for the Ivorian despite what has happened elsewhere.

All these possible signings I've acknowledged from newspaper reports and articles in the past year, remember these are just possible signings and just from what I've seen.

Much appreciated
Daniel John

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