As the January transfer window reaches it’s final few hours Swansea fans can look at the club’s transfer dealings this month as a success, especially when you consider how precarious Swansea’s financial position has been of late and when compared to the dealings of recent transfer windows.
Think back to this time last year, the January transfer window had been a disaster for Swansea. No players had been brought into what was already a squad struggling on numbers, Jefferson Montero was shipped out on loan to West Bromwich Albion, Wilfried Bony was loaned out to Al-Arabi in Qatar, and going into the final few hours of the window it looked like club captain Leroy Fer and star player Dan James would be loaned out to Aston Villa and Leeds respectively, such was the club’s financial position.
As luck would have it for the Swans Fer’s move fell through with Tom Carroll leaving instead, and James’ move fell through at the 11th hour before a big move to Manchester United in the summer. However, despite two late deals falling through it remained an awful window for the Swans and one that would be avoided at all costs in future years.
Fast forward 12 months and Swansea’s transfer window has been a relative success. No key players have been lost and three young, talented players have come into the club. As of 7pm on deadline day, the players who have left the club officially are goalkeeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt (Gençlerbirliği), Kristoffer Peterson on loan (Utrecht), Declan John on loan (Sunderland) and centre back Cian Harries has been recalled from his loan spell at Eredivisie club Fortuna Sittard and has joined Bristol Rovers on a permanent basis.
There could be further moves in the hours that remain with Scottish international Barrie Mckay heavily linked with a loan move to Fleetwood Town and Spanish striker Borja Baston looks like he’ll be heading for the exit door with a shock move to Premier League strugglers Aston Villa on the cards.
These departures won’t bother Steve Cooper too much with all these players struggling for league football in recent months, and Baston’s deal particularly will please the club hierarchy due to his high wages for a club in the Championship.
In terms of players brought in, Steve Cooper has utilized his contacts from his days in the England U17’s setup to great avail with Rhian Brewster being brought in on loan from Liverpool, and Conor Gallagher & Marc Guehi being brought in on loan from Chelsea. Brewster and Gallagher have added some much-needed firepower in recent weeks, while Guehi looks to be a shrewd acquisition being able to play across the back four and provide cover if needed.
All in all, a successful transfer window for Swansea, as they kept hold of key players such as Bersant Celina, Mike Van Der Hoorn and the much sought after Andre Ayew, got fringe players off the wage bill and managed to secure deals for some highly rated youngsters, all of which will contribute to Swansea’s aim of reaching the Play Offs come May.
AWC SPORT 