Phil Sumbler
Michael Duff and Paul Watson face one of their biggest dilemmas this week in light of the news that Southampton have made a move for the highly rated Swansea defender.
Although someone well respected at the club, speculation over his future has been relatively low this summer but now it looks as if the Swans may have a decision to make whether they need to move on to help finance the season ahead.
Yesterday’s report suggested that it was former Swans boss Russell Martin and Southampton who were moving for Wood with a ยฃ7m initial fee rising to ยฃ10m with add-ons that will include a clause of a return to the Premier League for the Saints and also possibly future international recognition for Wood.
Southampton have made a ยฃ10 million pound offer for Swansea defender Nathan Wood.
Initial payment is ยฃ7 million with the rest made up in add-ons.
The 21 year old defender was signed by Saints boss Russell Martin last summer for just 250k when he was at Swansea. #saintsfc
— Mark McAdam (@markmcadamtv) August 22, 2023
It was Martin who bought Wood to Swansea at the start of last season and an accomplished campaign saw him a regular first team player and also recognised with an England Under-21 call up on the back of that form.
That kind of season was never likely to leave him totally unnoticed in footballing circles and it is not totally inconceivable that Southampton’s move could push others into making a move for Wood which would be an additional position for the Swans to consider.
It could be suggested that Watson and Duff have already planned for the loss of a central defender as it is known that they have been looking for people who can play in this position and therefore a sale of the player would not be a surprise.
We also know that the club continually needs to be active in both directions in the transfer window to help balance the book without the need for continual new investment – the phrase sustainable finances has been used on more than one occasions but never actually been achieved on a consistent basis without that further investment into the club.
It may well be the case that it will never be achieved without that investment or at least one sale per month and Martin in his time here talked about a player trading model – Nathan Wood would be a classic example of that should he move on, to Southampton or elsewhere.
The other part to be considered in this is the desire of Wood.ย ย He is a talented player and ambitious and most people would tell you that Southampton’s chance of promotion this season is greater than ours and that will become a factor.ย Then of course we have the monetary factor that will never, ever be totally avoided.ย ย Southampton’s budget is simply bigger than ours and that will mean that they can test the players resolve very easily with a substantial pay rise to tempt him to St Mary’s.
This for me is not a question of whether the club will cash in on Wood as you would like to think that clubs with ambition could hold onto their best players.ย ย Unfortunately for us though we do have that ambition but we also have a realistic approach to our finances and this is a deal (selling Wood) that I can see happening before the end of the window to help those finances.ย ย We will need it to happen and then I do think Wood will want it to happen.
Bad idea…. he’s worth more, and we need him for our own aspirations this campaign.
So the question was would would you do? I’d start filling my car with fuel to drive him to Southampton myself.
However I would hold out for 10m and 3m in add ons…not forgetting the cut for Boro and that Southampton have made millions in transfers this window
ยฃ7 – ยฃ10 million. (Or ยฃ4.5 – ยฃ6.5 million) Take it.
Yes, his value would rise if he moved because playing for a Southampton or Leeds etc automatically adds value even if it doesnโt add quality.
Wood has made huge strides alongside Naughton and Cabango but still needs those more experienced players around him to get his better performances.
However, that development has taken almost a season to iron out some of the flaws but many remain.
As for the player himself; he should be wary of moving in with Martin where he could easily become Southampton’s Darling โฆ played too long before the manager has to drop him and then becoming a bit part player. On the other hand, if he stays will he develop playing Duff tactics?
A move? Would probably so the player good โฆ but not to Southampton.
Iโd rather lose Wood than Piroe .My fear is weโll lose them both – and so late in the day that very little of that money will be re- invested.
Despite the comings and goings we have still taken more than weโve spent
Mykola and Yates already in for Piroe plus one other.
ยฃ5 million in – ยฃ5 million spent plus increased pay awards to several players.
Bashir Humphreys would have replaced Wood. Next targets being sounded out as we speak.