Phil Sumbler
It is certainly looking like the situation that the Swans will have plenty of competition for Cyrus Christie this summer if they want to make the loan spell from last season into a permanent deal.
It has been reported several times that Nottingham Forest, Watford and Turkish sides are chasing Christie who impressed on loan in SA1 after he made the loan move from Fulham back in the January transfer window.
Russell Martin said last week that the Swans and the player were some way apart on reaching an agreement although Christie says that no offer has been received from the club as yet but he did add that he would love to return to Swansea.
Speaking to the Athletic on Sunday, Christie said “I’d love to stay. But you know, I can’t do much until there’s an offer.
“The ball’s in their court. Other opportunities are presenting themselves now as well. I’m not silly enough or naïve enough to just put all my eggs in one basket.”
Christie clearly has ambitions to play in the Premier League which could materialise if Forest do win the play off final next week and move for Christie and the player added “I can reach the Premier League again, I want to get back there. It didn’t go according to plan last time but you can’t be scared of going back there.
“I’m in a good place, physically and mentally doing really well. I feel feel fit, I’d love to be in somewhere and get a full pre-season. Now it’s time to kick on.”
Christie’s early time at Swansea was very encouraging although many pointed towards a reduction in performance level the longer the season went on although he probably did more than enough during his time to suggest that a permanent move would benefit the Swans if we could secure it.
Chief Executive Julian Winter said last week that a right wing back was one of the Swans priorities for the new season and Martin added that whilst he felt the Swans and Christie were apart he had other options available should he need to call on them during the window.
It does read though as if Christie would like a return to Swansea and he will not be oblivious to what we did to get him back to enjoying football during his time here.
“It’s been a really enjoyable six months, to get out there and play football,” he added. “I feel like I’ve been a main cog in this team. I didn’t want the season to end.
“[Russell Martin] showed me everything, and went into detail, not many other managers have done that.
“It’s good, because you’re able to influence a lot of the other teams in the way that you play. They’re quite scared because maybe they’ve never seen it before, in how we do it. Some games can be a bit of cat and mouse.
“The way that we play, the players just know that there’s so much more to come from each of us.”
Whatever happens with the future of Christie, the Swans will want it resolved quickly so they can either secure the signing or move onto the other targets that Martin talked about during the week. The player will similarly be hoping to tie up his future quickly so a resolution will be welcome from that side as well.
