Southampton target Wood but beware of the 35% sell on clause!

According to reports yesterday Southampton have a serious interest in Swans defender Nathan Wood after his impressive breakthrough campaign last season.

After an underwhelming loan in Scotland and barely playing a game for fellow Championship side Middlesbrough, Wood arrived with little fanfare that he would become as much of a mainstay in the first team as he has.

Indeed his call up to the England U21 squad just a few months ago further demonstrated his rise in prominence within the game prompting speculation to Arsenal and Tottenham.

Young, pacy English centre halves are a rare commodity in the game and come at a premium therefore Swansea City have a real asset on their hands.

And as a club that needs to sell to somewhat balance the books it wouldn’t be a surprise if he was to leave SA1 in the next nine days as the summer transfer window edges towards a conclusion.

This is where Southampton and Russell Martin come in; we all know the former Swans boss was a huge fan of his and, after linking up with Ryan Manning and former charge Flynn Downes, he is still looking to strengthen.

According to reports yesterday on the South Coast Sainfs had submitted a £10m bid which consisted of £7m up front and the rest as add-ons (presumably based heavily upon a promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking).

On first viewing that seems reasonable money for a player that cost barely £300k just over a year ago but beware of a hefty sell on clause to Middlesbrough which could be as high as 35%.

That would seem less enticing despite it being a help and would allow Michael Duff to recruit the 2/3 new players he still wants.

Wales Online reported yesterday afternoon that a bid was yet to be submitted by Southampton for Wood but did confirm a genuine interest in the player.

So, what happens from here? My personal view is that a sale will still happen of a marquee player despite the spending this summer broadly matching the income from those who have left.

That could still be Joel Piroe but Wood may make more sense with Duff known to be targeting a left sided, left footed centre half – a position that Wood has played despite obviously being right footed.

Watch this space.