Michael Reeves
Jay Fulton played very much an onlookers role for most of last season with the last two transfer windows full of stories about an impending move from Swansea but ultimately both ended with him still in SA1 seemingly unable to agree terms to a move away.
It is a career that has been almost on hold since he received a red card in the 2021 play off final against Brentford and it has been pretty clear that he does not fit into the long term plans of Russell Martin.
He is also a player that the Swans need to move on if they are to be able to keep adding to their squad and today we are hit with news that Championship rivals Reading are looking at a potential move for the player.
Reading’s transfer restrictions mean that they can only complete transfers on a loan basis or the signing of a free agent. Fulton of course is under contract at Swansea meaning the latter is not a possibility unless of course the Swans come to an agreement to pay up his contract and release him. Not unheard of and the Swans will need to weigh this up as one of the possibilities available to them.
The loan route is of course more likely but that will depend on the two sides being able to agree a wage structure that works for both. Reading’s own financial challenge will mean they may not be able to cover the wages in full which presents a second thought possibility to the Swans that they need to consider and that is whether they would be prepared to cover some of the wages just to get Fulton away from the squad. Is it better to free up some of the wages then be left holding the whole bill?
Jay Fulton featured in the first half for the Swans yesterday as they beat Forest Green in their latest pre-season friendly which suggests he isn’t totally out of the running for selection should he still be here when the transfer window closes at the end of August.
Reading’s interest though will have sparked some hope that they can move on one of their “problem” wage bills and you suspect that both clubs will be keen to work together to find a way to make this happen.
Let’s see where this one goes.
I wonder if a swap deal would be allowed under the restrictions? Someone like Andy Yiadom, who we were interested in a few years ago, in a swap for Fulton would be nice for the Swans.
He’s just signed a new contract and is Reading’s captain. What do you think the chances are?