Phil Sumbler
Steven Benda is wanted by Peterborough United but the London Road club have claimed that they are priced out of a deal for the keeper they had on loan last season due to the £1m price tag placed on his head by the Swans.
It is also claimed in the article that the Swans offered Benda plus another player – believed to be Ogbeta – in return for one of their players, a move rejected by Peterborough boss Grant McCann.
Peterborough tried to sign Ogbeta Posh from Shrewsbury last January, but the 23 year-old joined the Swans instead. He has yet to start a game for us.
Speaking to the Peterborough Telegraph, Director of Football Barry Fry said “I spoke to Steven as he is still in Peterborough.
“He would love to join us, but we are not getting anywhere with Swansea. They wanted £1 million and there’s no way we are paying that for a goalkeeper. Russell Martin then suggested an exchange of two his players, including Steven, for one of ours, but that is not going to happen. Steven’s wages would also be a problem for us.
“I’d say it’s (signing Benda) unlikely to happen now and we will look elsewhere. The manager wants two goalkeepers as well as a couple of midfielders, but there has been very little activity yet as clubs won’t sign players if they have to pay the June wages.”
It is clear that Russell Martin does not require Steven Benda to stay at the club although the release of Ogbeta may prove to be more of a surprise move given we only signed him in January although there were suggestions that was part of the reason behind recent staff departures at the club.
A £1m price tag for Benda seems high given what we paid for Andy Fisher but again he has played Championship football and maybe that will attract Championship clubs to make a move – an unlikely fee though for a side that has just dropped to League One?
Clearly these are the first moves of the summer starting to be discussed but as Fry says there is likely to be little activity at this stage of the summer period – expect that to change though as June advances.
Makes you wonder who brought Ogbeta here?