Swans linked with defender move – is there a surprise in the offing?

There is growing speculation that the Swans are potentially making a move for defender Nelson Abbey, a player who left Reading for Olympiakos back in January – the assumption is at the moment that any move would be a loan one.

Three separate people have suggested to us over the past twenty-four hours that there is something in this speculation and it was fuelled by a belief that, despite the January transfer, he remains outside of their plans for the coming season.

Abbey moved to Greece back in January after spending time at Reading where he made a first team debut in September 2020, shortly after his 17th birthday.

On the international scene, Abbey was called into an England Under-17 squad in February 2020, to feature in wins over the Ukraine and Russia – and he was drafted into in an Under-18 training camp with the Three Lions later that year.

His sale in January this year came ahead of him being out of contract in the summer and was also part influenced by the financial situation at Reading.  He had been pretty much an ever present last season prior to the move and also captained the Royals in League One.

Described as a player who brings  “pace, aggression and ball-progression to the left-sided centre-back spot” it was also suggested by Royals fans that he gave Reading the ability to play a higher defensive line and develop attacks down that side.

That description alone suggests he would be a good fit in a Swansea side which does need central defensive recruitment following the sale of Nathan Wood earlier in the window.   It is difficult to see that this would be a permanent deal if it happened given his short time in Greece which leads to the assumption that a loan deal would be more likely but never rule anything out when a young player has moved abroad – it is after all not uncommon to see players struggle to settle so far away from home.

He was linked with a move to Luton in the January window before settling for Olympiakos who are owned by Evangelos Marinakis who also owns Nottingham Forest.

Upon his departure from Reading, the defender took to Instagram to say “”I joined Reading as a boy from Reading and I leave Reading as a young man who is still learning. This definitely was not the goodbye I imagined, but I know despite what’s going on around our club Reading FC will be still be a football club because of our supporters. One thing I ask is for you guys to continue with being the amazing supporters you guys have been. It means the world to us. We can’t deny the situation around the club is taking a toll on all of us, especially the ones who truly care.

“It’s now time for a new challenge, which I am looking forward to taking on. I will always be a Royal. Until we meet again.”

Let’s see how this pans out but increased speculation often means something could be imminent.   Time will, as ever, tell.