Phil SumblerSteve Cooper was back on the press conference run yesterday as the Swans prepared for their first competitive match of the season – a first round Carabao Cup tie away at Newport tomorrow afternoon.
It’s been a busy week at the Liberty with the departure of Chairman Trevor Birch who headed towards North London and Spurs and the announcement that we will soon be joined by Jeremy Winters as CEO towards the end of this month.
Speculation has also heightened that Matt Grimes could be the subject of a transfer bid from Watford – speculation that intensified when the Hornets announced that they had agreed a deal that will see Abdoulaye Doucoure move to Everton.
With the start of the Championship season being just a week away, Cooper will be keen to get his business done as soon as possible and admitted that he was still in the hunt for both a centre half and a striker to boost his squad and to try and build on last season’s play off place.
One of our potential striking targets is Liverpool striker Rhian Brewster who scored 11 times whilst on loan at the Liberty last season but he has been part of the plans at Liverpool in pre-season which could make that move less likely.
If Rhian was available then of course we’d be in the mix but I don’t think that’s the case at the moment.
He is with Liverpool now. He obviously went back at the end of the season and it’s not really for me to discuss
He’s a Liverpool player and involved with them. We wish him well. He had a brilliant time here and everyone thought the world of him. – Steve Cooper on Rhian Brewster
Cooper also confirmed that there had been no bids from Watford for his captain but refused to rule out the press speculation, simply saying that he wanted to hold onto his captain as he rates him as one of the Championship’s top talents – “He’s captain of the club and there’s a real responsibility and honour to that” said Cooper.
“Of course we wouldn’t want to lose him, especially to another Championship club.”
The Swans did look to move on two players yesterday with both Declan John and Barrie McKay told that they can move on from the club “They’re still with us, but we’re happy for them to play elsewhere,” explained the Swans boss.
“That’s the information we’ve given to the players and to the agents.”
