Michael Reeves
So links this week with Burnley and Luton Town players for the Swans as the transfer window moves rapidly towards a conclusion which, in January, often means many deals being pushed over the line in the closing hours.
As Sky Sports prepare to gear up their wall to wall coverage of the final days of the window, here in SA1 we wait the final moves of a month that is only just seemingly getting going.
Ins and outs from Swansea City have been minimal so far in January – even the move for Obafemi has not yet been officially completed which does make us wonder whether the links to Ashley Barnes could actually be a part of that deal. The answer will of course come when Obafemi is seen holding the Claret and Blue of Burnley but this was seemingly completed on Thursday and yet neither Swansea or Burnley have confirmed a completion (or not at the time of writing anyway!)
The Swans were almost immediately linked with Barnes as soon as the Obafemi news was breaking and you do wonder whether a desire to bring him to the Swansea.com stadium is now part of the final detail that will see Obafemi move in the opposite direction.
Barnes record of one league goal every three starts seems decent enough but at 33 and with just two league goals behind him this season then is he really the man that fits the model we have been claiming to operate? All the statistics say no but he could be seen as an older head to add some experience to a young squad?
Yesterday we heard news about a reported bid for Luton striker Harry Cornick. He too has just one Championship goal to his name this season. At 27, he is definitely nearer our policy of looking towards younger players but then again so does Morgan Whittaker (who has more goals than Barnes and Cornick together this season albeit at a lower level) which just makes us wonder why we are moving for a forward rather than giving the one we actually have already invested in a chance?
Being perfectly honest neither the names of Barnes or Cornick fill me with excitement as we reach the closing stages of the window – this is one of those moments where I look at the links and I look at our squad and our league position and think we are better sticking with what we have (Whittaker) than looking to bring in either of these two players. Maybe that’s why I am a fan and not a football manager!
Elsewhere, we had the links yesterday of a move for Aston Villa defender Kaine Kesler-Hayden which Wales Online later reported was not “on the cards” right now. That could still happen though – three days left and it remains a possibility.
We know we remain in the market for a goalkeeper and reported earlier in the week that we expect at least two loan signings before the window closes.
The next few days will be interesting ones ahead and it certainly seems that we are destined to see movement in – and out – over the course of the next few days. Whether it will include Barnes and Cornick remains to be seen.
I doubt anybody will be coming in until we sell and then only a cheap / free alternative .The owners are very fond of money and are not too keen on investing.
Same old story, American owners still with their hands in their pockets when money is mentioned 🙄. They want to keep eny money that is available to themselves and their shareholders. It seems that the current management team hasn’t worked it out yet that they will never be given eny money for new players .only cheep or loan players. All of us true swansea city supporters know the truth , so the sooner the current management team realise that their hands are tied the sooner they must make a decision on their futures.
Having a laugh mun American out or put your hands in pocket to bring players in. We need a goalkeeper in on loan for rest of season because the Fisher is going to cost us a playoff spot. We don’t need an striker as we got piroe, Cooper, pato and Cullen..
Americans out. They have no interest in football, other than money. We have the fall guy, (RM) in place so he will become the scapegoat. We will eventually be relegated, and even then they would continue to suck the life out of our club.