Swans join race for Portuguese ace Lameiras

Since the sale of Gylfi Sigurðsson to Everton in August 2017, for a club record fee of £40 million, Swansea have failed to replace the attacking prowess offered by the Iceland international who scored 27 goals in 106 games for the Swans after joining on a permanent transfer. 

The following season the Swans added Portuguese midfielder Renato Sanches to the ranks in an attempt to fill the void; a player who starred in Portugal’s shock Euro 2016 win. This move didn’t work out however and the Swans were subsequently relegated to the Championship for the 2018/19 season in which they never really set the world alight, finishing in 10th place. 

With the recent transfer of Daniel James to Manchester United for a fee rumoured to be around £18 million, Swansea are in desperate need of an attacking outlet as they aim to improve on last season’s mid- table finish.

One player strongly rumoured to be heading to Wales is Lameiras, who is out of contract at Plymouth Argyle and is set to leave the Devon club after the Pilgrims suffered a disappointing season- being relegated back to League 2 after promotion in 2016/17.

Lameiras was a fan favourite a Home Park and the Swans are reportedly interested in bringing the tricky winger in on a free transfer to the Liberty, although Ligue 1 club Bordeaux are also said to be interested in the Portuguese wide man.

Lameiras was a rare highlight in a drab season for the Pilgrims, scoring 12 goals and providing nine assists in 45 games in all competitions; he was also named the club’s Player of the Year. His impressive performances in League 1 last season drew attention from many top club scouts so it could be a big coup for the Swans.

Before transferring to Argyle in 2017, Lameiras was a Coventry City player after being released from Spurs. He spent two seasons with the Sky Blues where he enjoyed success-including an EFL Trophy win at Wembley in 2016-17- but he moved to Home Park after Coventry were relegated to the fourth tier in 2017.

Lameiras is a tricky winger who would provide pace and skill going forward and create chances. At 24 years old he has many years still ahead of him to improve and flourish. Lameiras is also a versatile player who has played across the midfield throughout his career. The Lisbon- born forward excels in the number 10 role, with his agility and pace, and could provide a good attacking option for the Swans for the upcoming 2019/20 Championship season.

With Steve Cooper set to be announced as new Swans boss, Lameiras’s quick feet and pace make him an ideal fit for the Swansea style of play the club want to revert to.

However, can the Portuguese adapt to the added pace and quality off the Championship compared to League 1 if he does enter the Liberty as the Swans first summer signing?

Lameiras comes strongly recommended by Tottenham’s long-standing and highly respected academy director John McDermott and he could be developed into a star, as the clips below from his last campaign reveal:

World Cup winner Cooper tipped for Swans job

After a 7 year stay in the Premier League, which even included a Europa League campaign, Swansea were relegated back to the Championship in the 2017/18 season.

Carlos Carvalhal left, and Graham Potter subsequently took the reigns for the 2018/19 Championship season as he looked to fire the Swans straight back to the Premier League. This wasn’t the case as Swansea finished in 10th place- never really challenging for the play-offs. The end of 2018/19 season saw Potter depart after less than a year in charge for the vacant Brighton job after Chris Hughton was sacked, despite keeping the seagulls in the Premier League for a second season running.

Now, Steve Cooper is the surprise favourite to take the Swans job for the upcoming 2019/20 season. Cooper was the manager of the World Cup winning England U17 side in India in 2017 where he was credited with getting the best out off players such as Callum Hudson-Odoi, Phil Foden and Jadon Sancho who have recently played for the England senior team.

Cooper wants a chance at club management and, having been born in Pontypridd, the Swans job seems like it could prove to be the ideal fit for both parties.

Cooper came from nowhere to become favourite for the job after it seemed like Wales assistant manager Mark Bowen looked likely to take the hotseat owing to the fact that he’s a local lad from Neath, and a Swans fan from young, after watching them in the old Vetch field.

Swansea seemed the ideal job for Bowen and the fans would surely welcome him coming back to manage his boyhood club. He was the bookmaker’s favourite but is now out of the running along with former Sunderland manager Gus Poyet.

Coopers lack of experience and the fact he’s never managed a senior team are reasons why people are surprised he is favourite. However, the fact Cooper has got the best out of young players is said to work in his favour and it is hoped that if he does take the job that he can develop young players, which used to be a key part of what Swansea stand for.

Cooper was also the manager of Liverpool’s academy from 2008 to 2011, managing the likes of now treble- winning Raheem Sterling and Champions League winner Trent Alexander-Arnold. Coopers history with young players is impressive and he now fancy’s his first senior management job. Coopers England youngsters played fast, quick-flowing football in India, the style of football Swansea want to play.

Other candidates for the job include QPR caretaker manager John Eustace, Michael Appleton (who managed Oxford United when they shocked the Swans in the FA Cup 3rd round in 2016 beating them 3-2) is also a candidate. Cameron Toshack, a name infamous in welsh football is also in the running but Steve Cooper is the front runner with the bookmakers; being 1/5 on Paddy Power to take the vacant Swan’s job.

Ki Sung-yueng Joins Newcastle Following Swansea Departure

Following his departure from Swansea after failing to sign a new contract, South Korean midfielder Ki Sung-yeung has joined Newcastle on two-year deal.

Joining back up with former teammate Jonjo Shelvey, the 29-year-old leaves after six seasons with the club and retains his own Premier League status after failing to help the Swans to do so.

He chose to move on from the club some time ago and will help provide Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle team with plenty more energy in the engine room.

He joins a growing list of Swansea players leaving the club, with Angel Rangel, Lukasz Fabianksi and Roque Mesa all having already departed, while club legend Leon Britton has moved upstairs to be a club ambassador.

It’s now going to take some work from Graham Potter to get the club ready for the new season, with the former Ostersunds manager already in discussions with a number of players as replacements.

We’ll of course bring you any signings as we get them...

Swansea Scouting Revamp As Potter Rings Changes

Swansea have confirmed that all their current scouting team have been relieved of their duties, with Graham Potter solely in charge of the club’s transfer strategy.

Potter is determined to put his own stamp on the club and has replaced Head of Recruitment Dave Leadbeater with Kyle Macauley, his former assistant manager at Ostersunds.

Leadbeater will be joined by Technical Recruitment scout Ian Henderson, his assistant Ian Roscrow and Bryan Flynn and Gerhard Tremmel who have all been shown the door.

The former two have been at the club since 2010 and 2012 respectively and had been a part of the furniture at the Liberty Stadium.

That has been torn up, with a statement from the club reading, “Graham will decide which areas of the team or squad need strengthening.

“Kyle will identify the key targets, research and study all the available information including scouting reports and data before providing a list to be pursued.”

It’s thought that list is already well underway with Potter having already identified a list of targets. He’ll first assess his players however before beginning business, but it’s certainly looking like it will be a busy pre-season ahead of life in the Championship.

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West Ham Sign Fabianski In £7million Deal

West Ham have signed Swansea Player of the Year Lukasz Fabianski in a £7million deal.

The Polish international was seeking a move after the club’s relegation to the Championship and makes the move over to the London Stadium on a three-year deal.

The Swans had originally turned down a bid for the stopper, alongside another bid for Alfie Mawson, but it’s thought a higher bid managed to make the club succumb as they prepare for life in the second tier of English football.

Fabianski, who is currently at the World Cup with Poland, joined the Swans back in 2014 from Arsenal and went on to become a star player for the club, making 150 appearances across four seasons.

He was an ever-present and it’s no real surprise to see the 33-year-old leave following a fantastic season between the sticks at the Liberty.

Graham Potter will now have to search for a new number one, with only the Swede Kristoffer Nordfeldt and Erwin Mulder in the first team squad.

Graham Potter Named New Swansea Boss

Graham Potter has been unveiled as the new Swansea manager, signing a three-year deal with the club.

The Englishman joins from Swedish side Ostersund, with both clubs coming to an arrangement in regards to compensation.

Potter will lead the Swans rebuild as they look to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking. He’ll be joined by Billy Reid as his assistant and Kyle Macaulay, who will also follow from Potter’s former club.

The 43-year-old has worked his way through the leagues with Ostersund, culminating in a Europa League battle with Arsenal last season, where they won the second leg at the Emirates.

Potter said upon being unveiled as manager, "It's a chance to start again.

"We know how frustrating the last few years have been, but hopefully the relegation will be seen in a few years' time as the best thing that ever happened to the club.

"We will try our best and work hard every day to give the supporters a team they can feel proud of; they can connect with and see are trying to improve."

Ostersund chairman has been singing Potter’s praises in recent weeks after conceding bigger things are on the horizon for the former West Brom player.

Daniel Kindberg, who operates as the club’s chairman said, “He will not only take Swansea back to the Premier League, he will make the name of Swansea City bigger than it is today.

"The limit is down to the support he can get and if he gets enough he will do miracles."