Phil SumblerThe Swans have placed new contracts on the table for four out of contract players in Ben Hamer, Jake Bidwell, Kyle Naughton and Korey Smith with all four due to be out of contract at the end of the season.
The contracts were confirmed by sporting director Mark Allen who said “They’re all on the table for discussion right now.
“I wouldn’t be doing my job if I was sitting here waiting for contracts to expire before making decisions.
“They’re a work in progress and will always be in the background.
“Part of sitting down with ownership is to reflect on all of those and make some recommendations.”
Hamer has a one year extension within his current contract and is the first choice goalkeeper for Martin which will increase the chances of the new deal being signed. The Swans do have transfer links with MK Dons goalkeeper Andy Fisher but that move is most likely to see Steven Benda leave the club rather than Hamer not sign the deal.
Smith is known to be happy at Swansea and keen to move on an extended contract having become a regular at the club since his move here from Bristol City in August last year. With 36 league starts and 14 substitute league appearances in his time he is keen to repay the faith that the Swans show in him with an extended contract.
Naughton, logically, is unlikely to move anywhere. He is closing in on 250 appearances for the club following a move in 2015 when he cost the club £5m to sign him from Spurs. At 33 he remains an integral part of the team under Russell Martin and that should see both parties come to an agreement on the new contract early in the New Year.
Which just leaves Bidwell. As stated earlier in the week it would seem wrong to let him go but with interest from Birmingham and the chance of a fee to add to the coffers there is a growing expectation that maybe he will indeed be on the move in January. However, the contract remains on the table and negotiations continue but this maybe one that remains unsigned and – with links to Hearts defender Craig Halkett – it could be that Bidwell does leave and Halkett is his replacement.
Contracts on the table are one thing, signing them is something completely different but sources close to the club suggest that they are mainly confident that the extensions will be signed in most cases which will be one of the January concerns alleviated as and when it happens.
