Southampton set to make Grimes move

It has been something that has been widely speculated since Russell Martin first indicated that he wanted to join Southampton and it is now widely expected that the former Swans boss will return for the services of his former skipper.

When Martin first arrived in SA1 a little over two years ago then it looked set prior to his arrival as if Grimes was on his way out of the club.   There was multiple clubs interested in signing him but Martin persuaded the captain to stay and oversaw his almost ever present place in the team during his time in Swansea.

It was clear from a very early time for Martin in Swansea that he wanted to hold onto Grimes though (Grimes set for extended Swansea stay) and that was achieved on deadline day despite late interest from Fulham and bids turned down from the Swans as the owners backed Martin’s desire to build his side around him.

Russell Martin’s desire to move to Southampton first surfaced back in May but a elongated discussion over compensation meant that it was more than a month before the move was made official but by that time speculation was high that Grimes would be an early transfer target for the (soon to be) former Swans boss.

Nothing appears to have materialised on that front since Martin’s move was confirmed but with the new season now just four weeks away speculation is rising that an approach is imminent and that could open the door for a Grimes exit from SA1.

Whilst much of the transfer speculation over the past week has been over Joel Piroe there is a marked difference between Piroe and Grimes is that one seemingly is ready for a move away whilst the other has made no noises that he is in a hurry to leave SA1.   That said, the budgets that Southampton have to offer will eclipse anything that we can offer him to stay here and that could be enough to persuade the captain to at least listen to what his former manager has to say.

We do know for certain that Martin is a big Grimes fan and that in itself will mean that he will certainly no discount a move for the Swans player.   It has been suggested that part of this will be so he has an advocate in the dressing room but Grimes will offer much more than that to Southampton with the midfielder a very strong fit for the philosophy which Russell Martin’s sides are asked to adhere to.

One of the questions that many Swans fans will have at the moment would be around what fee the Swans captain could command if (when) the approach is made.  Initial suggestions/rumours thought this could be somewhere between £3m and £5m but it has also been suggested that the Swans would look for a figure nearer £8m for them to be persuaded that their captain could leave.

This whole position is one to watch at the moment.   Southampton have been linked with moves for Ben Cabango, Nathan Wood, Jay Fulton and Joel Piroe but it is our belief that it is really only Grimes who Martin wants to return to Swansea for although the signing of Ryan Manning as a free agent should not be totally discounted.

As stated above Grimes has never expressed a need to leave SA1 and that in itself will play a part in any approach.  Whilst wages will have an impact Grimes and his family are settled in the area and he has always given the impression that these are factors that will weight heavily on his mind.   We also aren’t clear yet on the feelings of Michael Duff towards his captain and whether he places the same importance on him as his predecessor did.  If he does then it does feel that the Swans could fend off any interest if they chose to but if Duff feels he can pursue other options then Grimes could easily be on his way to the South Coast.

A lot of rumour and speculation ahead as far as this particular transfer goes and one that we will watch with close interest over the coming days (or even weeks)