Swansea City chances diminish as Ipswich linked with keeper move?

It is widely known that Swansea City want Brighton & Hove Albion keeper Carl Rushworth back on loan next season.  Luke Williams has said as much and three player of the year awards tell you of the impact that Rushworth had on loan this season as he was one of only four players to play every minute in the Championship season.

His form in SA1 has even been enough to see him linked with the England squad ahead of Euro 2024 and convinced many that he will be an England regular in the future.

Rushworth has learned his trade well with a season in League Two with Walsall followed up by a League One campaign with Lincoln before his move to the Swans last summer.   Over a hundred and thirty league appearances are already under the belt of a player who does not turn twenty-three until this summer.

It therefore feels almost natural that his next campaign will be in the Premier League given that level of progression and with the England links still there as well if the chance to compete at the highest level comes around then Carl will surely want to take it.

The latest to be linked with Rushworth are Ipswich who confirmed their place in the Premier League last weekend with a win over Huddersfield that saw them take the second automatic spot behind Champions Leicester City.   They could find themselves on the lookout for a new goalkeeper this summer with Vaclav Hladky and Christian Walton both out of contract at Portman Road this summer and potentially moving on leaving a spot for a goalkeeping position with the name of Rushworth already being linked.

In addition to that though there is also speculation that Arsenal could be interested in Brighton keeper Jason Steele which could mean that the Seagulls look to retain Rushworth for next season either as first choice or backup.   The question on this one is whether Rushworth will want to sit on the bench for a season after three years as first choice at the club he has been on loan at.   As season sat on the bench does not feel like a natural progression for the keeper and it does feel as if his future at Brighton will depend on whether there is a real chance of first team football.

The Ipswich interest – assuming it is more than just rumours – is certainly an interesting one to consider.   They are probably in a position to consider a permanent move for Rushworth if that is a route they want to go down which may prove to be attractive for the player.  The downside is they will start next season as favourites for relegation possibly more so now that last season’s three promoted clubs – Burnley, Sheffield United and Luton – have all returned to the Championship at the first time of asking.   It probably would guarantee a busy season though for Rushworth and a series of performances in the Premier League like the ones we saw at Swansea will generate more interest in him even if Ipswich are relegated at the first time of asking.

Of course at the moment this is all speculation but it shows that there will be interest in Rushworth this summer and all of that will reduce the chances of the Swans securing a second season long loan for Carl.   That in itself will mean that we have to look elsewhere and you do wonder if the name of Viktor Johansson will feature in our thinking at this point.   The Rotherham keeper has looked a decent player at times despite the Millers’ comprehensive relegation this season and it is reported that he has a seven figure release clause which has already attracted potential interest from elsewhere in the Championship.  Whether the Swans would want to spend that on a goalkeeper who has played in a relegation side remains to be seen and probably still remains much on Rushworth who is clearly someone we want to work with again.

Much speculation, much to think on and a whole host of things could impact the future now for Carl Rushworth but a classic case of time will tell…