As the summer transfer window truly heats up in July 2025, Swansea City finds itself embroiled in a familiar dance of incomings, outgoings, and tantalizing speculation. Fresh off a mid-table finish in the 2024-25 Championship season, the Swans, under manager Alan Sheehan, are clearly aiming for a coveted playoff push, as evidenced by their early transfer activity and ambitious targets.  However, with the financial realities of the Championship always a factor, the club’s agility in the market will be key.

Confirmed arrivals have already set the tone for Swansea’s intentions. The significant £5 million capture of Swedish winger Zeidane Inoussa from BK Häcken, who bagged 11 goals last season, signals a clear desire to bolster the attacking third. This investment is crucial for a team that only managed 51 goals in 46 Championship matches last term. Joining Inoussa are promising young striker Bobby Wales from Kilmarnock, and experienced free agents Cameron Burgess and Ricardo Santos, both defenders, adding much-needed depth and leadership at the back.  Ethan Galbraith also comes in from Leyton Orient, aiming to strengthen the midfield.

Embed from Getty Images

However, the transfer window is rarely a one-way street. Swansea have already seen several departures, including the emotional retirement of club icon Joe Allen, and the exits of Kristian Pedersen, Cyrus Christie, Jon McLaughlin, Kyle Naughton, and Nathan Tjoe-A-On, all on free transfers. Harry Darling has also departed for Norwich City. These departures, while creating space in the squad and on the wage bill, highlight the need for astute replacements.

The biggest ongoing saga seems to revolve around the central midfield.  Swansea’s wishlist reportedly places a capable “number six” midfielder at the very top.  Nottingham Forest’s Lewis O’Brien has been a figure of keen interest, but the financial demands, including potential Premier League-level wages and a reported £5 million bid from Hull City, appear to be a significant hurdle.  While Liam Henderson (Empoli) and Jean Claude (Yokohama) have been mentioned as alternatives, and Ethan Galbraith has arrived, the club might need to adjust its sights if O’Brien remains out of reach. The potential departure of Jay Fulton, whose significant salary is a known issue, could further accelerate the need for midfield reinforcements, although the club reportedly prefers a sale or a loan with a part-payment.

Attack, despite the arrival of Inoussa and Bobby Wales, remains an area of active speculation. There’s a lingering feeling that a new striker might still be on the agenda, with Bobby Wales seen more as a future prospect. The name of former Swansea striker Oli McBurnie has surfaced, although reports suggest no concrete approach has been made, with his name merely on a list of potential options.  The future of Jerry Yates is also uncertain. The club is reportedly open to offers for the forward, who has a year left on his contract, with Blackpool reportedly keen on bringing him back.  Josh Ginnelly’s injury-plagued spell also casts doubt on his long-term future.   Meanwhile, there’s a developing situation around winger Ronald, who has attracted interest from clubs in Brazil and Mexico, though no firm bids have yet materialized.  Should he depart, it could prompt Swansea to explore options in wide areas, despite feeling well-stocked with the arrival of Inoussa. Links to Kwame Poku of Peterborough United (who moved to QPR) suggest the club is indeed bracing for potential movement in this department.

Defensively, the eye-catching capture of Cameron Burgess and Ricardo Santos has gone some way to address the departure of Harry Darling.  However, there’s a feeling that more depth in the heart of the defence, and particularly in the full-back/wing-back areas, could still be beneficial. The preference seems to be for versatile players who can cover multiple defensive roles.

Overall, Swansea City’s transfer policy under Alan Sheehan and Sporting Director Richard Montague appears to be one of calculated ambition. They have shown a willingness to invest in key areas, particularly upfront, but remain acutely aware of financial constraints and the need to balance the books. The ongoing efforts to offload higher earners like Jay Fulton and Jerry Yates underscore this approach. As the August 9th season kick-off draws closer, the coming weeks will undoubtedly see more twists and turns in Swansea’s summer transfer narrative, as they strive to build a squad capable of challenging for promotion.

Embed from Getty Images

By Michael Reeves

Just a Swansea fan writing about Swansea things

Loading new replies...

R
Ringwood

Michu

2,565 messages 889 likes

If we can move on Yates and Ginnelly and free up wages and get a fee then hopefully we can add a striker and CM.

We need some more depth in midfield for sure and a target man up top to give us some formation options.

Reply Like

m
magicdaps10

Alan Curtis

3,724 messages 1,092 likes

I think we are in the position where we need to be moving one or 2 on now before we csn push on with bringing anyone in. I would hope we are close with getting Yates and/or Ginnelly out.
I do also believe that any loan incomings will be done into August as I can't see any being first team starters and will be more squad boosters.

Rumour of Key got 5M is very tempting I would image, I personally would be taking it and that opens a few more doors for us aswell.

I think we are in Del boy territory with a lot of ducking and diving to open up deals for us.

Reply 1 Like

click to expand...
Avatar of Swansea93
Swansea93

Roger Freestone

5,004 messages 1,007 likes

Key
Yates
Ginnelly
Cooper
Fisher

Will be off imo.

Reply Like

h
harryhpalmer

Youth Team Apprentice

13 messages 0 likes

I think it is safe to say those that didnt go on tour, Eom aside, are either going on loan, or being sold/paid off.

Yates and Ginnelly’s time must be up. Ben Lloyd looks like he is going on loan, but he is in the last year of his contract. So is he refusing to extend? Is there an extension clause we don’t know about? I hope the latter, and then could understand why he’d be loaned out, when you see the balance of the team, and how many minutes he’d get.

Where is Lissah? He’s contracted to 2027 + an optional year. Is he injured again? I hope not. But it seems odd, if fit, that he didn’t travel.

As I see it we have a 21 man squad plus 8 under 21s in the squad in Spain.

We appear to have cover in a lot positions, with some players who can play in more than one position. But some of those options are very inexperienced.

Where we lack cover, if we have any long term injuries, is defence and striker.

At CB there are 3 experienced pros, and 2 rookies.

At fullback - the most intensive position in the modern game, we have 3 senior pros, but 2 are out of contract next summer. And 3 U21s to cover. And 2 of those have, but don't normally play there.

Defensive and center mid is where we have plenty of options now. And out wide we appear to have more than enough options.

Striker is where we are one injury from a problem, and could do with an extra body.

* are for those players in the last year of their contracts.
** for players with an optional year.

Keepers: Vig, Fish*, Marge Jr
Fullbacks: Key*, Tymon*, Galbraith, Dabrowski, A.Parker, Sam Parker
CB: Cabango, Burgess, Santos, Lissah, A. Parker, McKenzie
DM: Fulton*, Galbraith, Franco, Cotterill**
CM: Fulton, Galbraith, Franco, Cotterill**, Cooper, Widell.
AM: Widell, Congreve*, Cullen, Cooper
Wing: Ronald, Eom, Inoussa, Bianchini, S.Parker
Strikers: Vip, Cullen, Wales

Reply Like

click to expand...
Avatar of Swans Jack
Swans Jack

Lee Trundle

1,515 messages 659 likes

Maybe I'm reading to much into rumours but I think Galbraith could of been brought in due to Key being in his last year and might go. Tymon I feel will resign at some point in the year and Fisher is up in the air.

Reply 1 Like

Avatar of Swansea93
Swansea93

Roger Freestone

5,004 messages 1,007 likes

I believe we have a +1 year option on Key, but I do think we’d listen to offers for him, he’s a good player but he gives away possession way to much in silly areas, Williams didn’t help him at all.

Reply 2 Likes

m
magicdaps10

Alan Curtis

3,724 messages 1,092 likes

Weak in depth defensively from that list.
As said,Key and Tymon have 1 yr extensions in their contract.

Reply Like

h
harryhpalmer

Youth Team Apprentice

13 messages 0 likes

if they have one year extensions, then that explains why they havent been busting their balls to get them signed on for longer.

Reply Like

m
magicdaps10

Alan Curtis

3,724 messages 1,092 likes

In an ideal world they move on(not so sure on Key)and replaced......could probably throw Fulton in there aswell.

Reply 1 Like

R
Ringwood

Michu

2,565 messages 889 likes

If Galbraith is being brought it to cover a departing Key then that highlights further another CM is needed

Reply 1 Like

Avatar of Swansea93
Swansea93

Roger Freestone

5,004 messages 1,007 likes

Maybe the plan is to move Key on and fund O Brien with Galbraith playing RB.

Reply 2 Likes