Are we closing in on Ogbene? Are Rotherham ready to deal?

The pursuit of Chiedozie Ogbene seems a relatively long one given the links that go back as far as last summer but we are now at the stage that at least we will know what January brings one way or another by this time next week.

It seems reasonably clear that the Swans made him our number one target for the January window but as yet have been unable to secure a deal for him and, given his status in the Rotherham first team, it does suggest that last weekend a deal was not close.

The player is believed to want to be at Swansea come the start of February but until the two teams can agree a fee then that particular move is not going to happen.   It is rumoured that the decision makers at Swansea are holding out for a “cheaper” deal than Rotherham are currently prepared to accept but this is the January transfer window and we know that strange things can happen in the last week.

Part of the stalling could still be around the future of Morgan Whittaker.   With his desired move to Rangers not yet in place then Russell Martin will surely be denied the opportunity to bring in another forward and instead look to play a player that he said was not “in the right frame of mind” last weekend.   That could be awkward which is why sometimes my personal belief is these reasons are best kept behind closed doors.

The interesting part on our chase of Ogbene is there does not feel like there is a big queue of clubs chasing up to sign him.   Given what looks like a definite talent that is a little but of a surprise which tells you that either he isn’t the player we all believe (want?) him to be or Rotherham’s current valuation for a player soon to be out of contract is out of sync with the market.

Despite rumours that surfaced last week that Obafemi may have had a “word” in the ear of Ogbene and discouraged him from coming to Swansea that seems unlikely to have anything more than the scenario of someone putting 2+2 together and repeating it often enough for it to feel like it has credence.  I don’t buy it personally.

I also don’t come from a point of inside knowledge when I say that I still expect Ogbene to be a Swansea City player come the closure of the window.   With Martin clearly desiring to have him at Swansea and the owners backing him with his key targets in the last two windows then you would say he will be backed this time although – as referenced earlier – it will probably be after the departure of Whittaker to make it happen.

If, however, my belief turns out to be wrong then it feels like it will be a significant statement of intent from the owners.  Possibly for all the wrong reasons.