The £1 Million Misfortunes: Seven Swansea City Signings That Failed to Deliver

As the sun settled yesterday on the news of Mykola Kuharevich and his move away from Swansea it hit us reflecting on someone signings of the recent past and where they never fitted in to the club anywhere near to the level we expected.

Our reflections spurred JackBot into life and he took a look at seven £1m+ who just never performed as we all hoped they would.

1. Borja Bastón (£15.5 million from Atlético Madrid, 2016)

Who and Why: Borja Bastón arrived at Swansea City in August 2016 as the club’s new record signing, a significant statement of intent from a side hoping to establish itself further in the Premier League. The Spanish striker had enjoyed a prolific loan spell at Eibar in La Liga, scoring 18 goals in 36 appearances during the 2015-16 season. His arrival was seen as the answer to Swansea’s goalscoring woes and a sign of their ambition under manager Francesco Guidolin. He was expected to lead the line and replicate his Spanish form in the Premier League.

What Went Wrong: From the outset, Borja struggled to adapt to the pace and physicality of the Premier League. Injuries hampered his start, and when he did play, he often looked isolated and lacking in confidence. His solitary Premier League goal came in a 3-2 defeat to Arsenal, a fleeting moment in an otherwise dismal season. He made just 20 appearances in his debut season, mostly from the bench, and failed to establish himself as a regular starter. His significant transfer fee became an albatross around his neck, intensifying the pressure on him.

Quotes:

• On arrival (reported): While no direct quote is widely available, the sentiment was often expressed by the club and fans that he was “the goalscorer we’ve been looking for” and “a fantastic talent.”
• On leaving (2020, to Aston Villa on a free transfer, after multiple loan spells): After various loan spells, including a more successful one at Alavés, Borja eventually left Swansea permanently. It was a mutual desire to get him off the wage bill. While no specific departing quote is widely reported, his struggles were evident to all. His career at Swansea was effectively over long before his contract officially ended.

2. Roque Mesa (£11 million from Las Palmas, 2017)

Who and Why: Spanish midfielder Roque Mesa joined Swansea in July 2017, another significant outlay aimed at bolstering the team’s midfield and maintaining their Premier League status. He was a deep-lying playmaker, known for his excellent passing range, defensive tenacity, and ability to dictate the tempo of games, having been a key figure for Las Palmas. Then-manager Paul Clement envisioned him as a vital cog in the “Swansea Way” midfield, replicating the success of players like Joe Allen and Jonjo Shelvey.

What Went Wrong: Despite his pedigree, Mesa struggled to find his rhythm in the Premier League. He found it difficult to cope with the relentless intensity and speed of English football, often being dispossessed or caught out of position. He made just 16 appearances for the Swans across all competitions, with only 11 in the Premier League. Managerial changes didn’t help, and he quickly fell out of favour, failing to convince either Paul Clement or his successor Carlos Carvalhal of his suitability for the team.

Quotes:

• On arrival (reported): “I am very happy to be here. It’s a new experience for me, a new league and a new country, and I’m looking forward to it.”
• On leaving (January 2018, on loan to Sevilla, later made permanent): “I’m very happy to be here [Sevilla] and to have this opportunity. I want to thank the club for trusting in me. I know it’s a very big club and I want to help them achieve their objectives.” (Upon joining Sevilla, reflecting a desire to return to Spain and regular football).

3. Sam Clucas (£16.5 million from Hull City, 2017)

Who and Why: Sam Clucas was signed in August 2017, just days after Gylfi Sigurdsson’s departure, with Swansea hoping he could fill some of the void left by the Icelandic international’s creativity and work rate. Clucas had impressed at Hull City, showcasing versatility across midfield and a strong engine. He was seen as a reliable, industrious midfielder who could contribute both defensively and offensively.

What Went Wrong: Clucas arrived with a hefty price tag that immediately put him under scrutiny. While his effort was rarely questioned, he struggled to consistently deliver the quality needed in the Premier League, especially in a team that was fighting for survival. He never truly found a defined role or position where he could thrive. He played 35 games in his first season, scoring 3 goals, but the team was relegated. His performances, while not disastrous, certainly didn’t justify the club-record fee at the time, and he wasn’t able to lift the team out of their slump.

Quotes:

• On arrival (reported): “It’s a big step for me to come to a club like Swansea. It’s a good club with good history and I’m looking forward to getting started.”
• On leaving (August 2018, to Stoke City): While specific quotes are hard to pinpoint, the general feeling was that both parties were keen for a fresh start after relegation. He later reflected on the move to Stoke as a good opportunity: “It was a fresh start and a new challenge for me after the season at Swansea, and I was looking forward to it.”

4. Wilfried Bony (Second Spell – £12 million from Manchester City, 2017)

Who and Why: This case is particularly poignant as Bony’s first spell at Swansea (2013-2015) was a resounding success, earning him a big-money move to Manchester City. His return in August 2017 was met with immense excitement and hope. Fans yearned for the prolific striker who had scored 35 goals in 70 appearances during his initial tenure. He was brought back to provide goals and leadership in a team struggling to find the net and facing a desperate fight against relegation.

What Went Wrong: The Bony that returned to Swansea was a shadow of his former self. A combination of persistent injury problems, particularly a significant knee injury, and a loss of form meant he never regained his sharpness or scoring touch. He made just 15 appearances in his second spell, scoring 3 goals, before further injuries sidelined him for extended periods. His body simply couldn’t keep up with the demands of top-flight football, leading to an incredibly frustrating period for both player and club. The dream return quickly turned into a nightmare.

Quotes:

• On arrival (reported): “I’m very happy to be back. It’s a great feeling to be here again. I have come to do my best and to try to help the team.”
• On leaving (January 2020, released after loan spells): After his contract was mutually terminated in January 2020, Bony stated in an interview with The Athletic (2020) about his struggles, particularly regarding injuries: “I came back after winning the Cup [AFCON] and my body was kaput — that didn’t help me. I tried hard but I was not good. I kept getting injuries — hamstrings, calf — because I was tired.” He specifically mentioned the challenges post-Manchester City.

5. Luciano Narsingh (£4 million from PSV Eindhoven, 2017)

Who and Why: Dutch international winger Luciano Narsingh joined Swansea in January 2017. He arrived with a reputation for blistering pace and direct attacking play, having been a regular for PSV Eindhoven and the Netherlands national team. Paul Clement hoped his arrival would add much-needed width and dynamism to the Swans’ attack, helping them create more chances and escape relegation.

What Went Wrong: Narsingh’s time at Swansea was largely forgettable. While he showed glimpses of his speed, he struggled significantly with the physicality of the Premier League and inconsistency. He failed to establish himself as a regular starter, often appearing as a substitute. Over two and a half seasons, he made only 34 appearances in all competitions, scoring just 2 goals. Injuries also played a part, but even when fit, he rarely made a significant impact. His high wages compounded the feeling of a failed investment.

Quotes:

• On arrival (reported): “I’m very happy to be here. This is a beautiful club and a beautiful country. It’s a new challenge for me.”
• On leaving (July 2019, on a free transfer to Feyenoord): While a direct quote on leaving Swansea is scarce, it was widely reported that he was keen to restart his career in the Netherlands. In a later interview, he spoke about the difficulties: “The Premier League is a tough league, very physical. I had some injuries and it was hard to get into a rhythm.”

6. Franck Tabanou (£3.5 million from Saint-Étienne, 2015)

Who and Why: French left-back Franck Tabanou was brought to Swansea in the summer of 2015 under Garry Monk. He was seen as an attacking full-back who could offer defensive solidity and a threat going forward, having been a consistent performer in Ligue 1 for Saint-Étienne. The signing was meant to add depth and quality to the defensive line as Swansea looked to build on a successful Premier League season.

What Went Wrong: Tabanou’s spell at Swansea was nothing short of a mystery. Despite his fee, he barely featured for the first team. He made a paltry three appearances in total – two in the League Cup and one in the FA Cup – and zero in the Premier League. Reports suggested issues with fitness, adaptation, and perhaps even a clash of personalities with manager Garry Monk. He spent most of his time either on the bench, out of the squad, or back on loan at Saint-Étienne. It was a bizarre situation that left fans and pundits baffled.

Quotes:

• On arrival (reported): “I am very happy to come to Swansea. It’s a very good club and I am looking forward to the challenge.”
• On leaving (January 2017, back to Saint-Étienne on a permanent deal for free): Tabanou was famously quiet about his time at Swansea. Upon his return to Saint-Étienne, he simply stated his happiness to be back: “I am happy to come back here. I missed my country and my club.” His silence spoke volumes about his frustrating time in South Wales.

7. Alberto Paloschi (£8 million from Chievo Verona, 2016)

Who and Why: Italian striker Alberto Paloschi arrived at Swansea in January 2016, joining forces with his former manager at Chievo, Francesco Guidolin. He was known as a hardworking forward with a decent goalscoring record in Serie A, and the hope was that Guidolin’s familiarity with him would quickly translate into goals to help Swansea avoid relegation. He was expected to be a direct replacement for Bafétimbi Gomis, who was struggling for form.

What Went Wrong: Paloschi made just 10 Premier League appearances for Swansea, scoring 2 goals. While he showed glimpses of potential and a good work ethic, he ultimately failed to make a significant impact. His stint was brief, as he struggled to consistently find the net and adapt to the intensity of the Premier League. When Guidolin was replaced, Paloschi’s future at the club looked even more uncertain. He was sold just six months after arriving, representing a quick, expensive, and ultimately unproductive turnover.

Quotes:

• On arrival (reported): “I am very happy to be here. I am looking forward to playing in the Premier League. I hope to score a lot of goals for Swansea.”
• On leaving (July 2016, to Atalanta): After his quick departure, Paloschi expressed his desire for regular football back in Italy. He stated to Italian media (reported by Sky Sports Italy): “I’m happy to return to Italy, to Serie A. It was a good experience in England, but I want to play consistently.”

Conclusion

The pursuit of Premier League survival and ambition often leads to significant financial gambles in the transfer market. For Swansea City, a club that rose through the divisions on a bedrock of sensible management and a clear footballing philosophy, the increased wealth brought both opportunity and risk. The seven players highlighted above represent a collective £70 million-plus outlay that, for various reasons – be it injuries, struggles with adaptation, tactical incompatibilities, or simply a lack of form – failed to deliver anything of note.

These expensive missteps undoubtedly played a part in Swansea’s eventual relegation from the Premier League and the subsequent financial restructuring. They serve as a stark reminder that in the high-stakes world of professional football, even the most promising signings can sometimes fall flat, costing clubs not only millions of pounds but also crucial momentum and, ultimately, their top-flight status. While the memories of their Premier League heyday remain cherished, these particular transfers stand as cautionary tales of ambition unmet.