Planet Swans ArchivesAfter weeks of speculation and a week since he first travelled to the South Coast, Richard Duffy has finally decided that he wants his future to lie outside the Vetch Field and, no late bids withstanding, linking up with Harry Redknapp is his preferred option.
However, the two clubs are yet to agree a fee for the 18 year old product of the Swans youth structure with Portsmouth’s last bid being dismissed by the Swans. The two clubs will look to sort this out over the next couple of days with the chance still there that it may go to a tribunal. However, with Duffy sitting out the next few games through suspension it seems likely that his last action in a Swans shirt was seeing the red card raised in his direction for the second time this season last weekend at Bury – a sad end to some good performances in the first team this season – capped by his first and only goal for the club in a 3-0 win over Macclesfield at the Vetch.
Swans chairman Huw Jenkins told the Evening Post ”Richard has made his decision and he has told us he wants to go to Portsmouth,’ ”It seems that they have made him an offer he can’t refuse and while it’s disappointing to lose him, we have to accept that. ”Richard has got to get on with what he wants from his career. ”From our point of view, although we don’t want him to go, we cannot stand in his way.
”We obviously value Richard very highly and we regard him as a big asset. That means we want to get as much as we can for his transfer. ”We are realistic enough to know that transfer fees are not as high as they were a few years ago. ”It’s hard to put a figure on it but we will be trying our best to get the right price so we can then move the club forward again. ”We want to settle things with Portsmouth quickly so we can concentrate on making sure we get promotion.”
With the recent departure of Lee Jenkins to Kidderminster, Swansea will surely now again need to strengthen their squad for that final promotion push which starts in earnest with one of those famous ‘must win’ games against Cheltenham on Saturday. I suspect that Swans fans will see two or three signings before this month is out as the Swans look to rebuild after the recent league setbacks.
Whether Duffy will receive immediate first team football at Portsmouth is doubtful but he should progress equally as well out of the first team from some of the experience that lies within the Premiership outfit. And who is to say that we won’t see Richard back in Wales before the end of the World Cup qualifiers making his Welsh debut?
I’m sure Swans supporters everywhere, despite being disappointed that he has decided to leave will wish Richard all the very best for the future and hope that his move away from the club works out for him.
Good luck Richard.
