Are the Swans set to move for Jodi Jones at Notts County

Links with Notts County players were to be expected during this transfer window especially as Luke Williams joined the club at the end of last month but are we about to launch a bid to bring in winger Jodi Jones who has four goals and eleven assists to his name this season.

There have been no confirmed moves for Jones as to yet and certainly not to the stage where a fee is being discussed but it is clear to see that there is a relationship between Luke Williams and Jones that makes the links with the player almost natural.

A wide player is certainly a necessity for Swansea City (but then again it has been for several years) and a midfielder (wide or central) with a level of creativity has been badly lacking for equally as long.   If not longer.

On that basis Jones appears to tick the boxes with the only hesitation being that he is doing it at League Two level and the question will be whether he can take those skills up a level or two to do it in the Championship.   The thing is a question like that is that you will never know until such point as we decide it is something that we want to try.    As we have seen with Josh Key this season the step up to Championship level can be managed and with Luke Williams in charge then you know that we are a step forward anyway because of the relationship between player and manager.

Jones was signed for Notts County by Williams and, as well as his record this season on their return to the league, he played a big part in their promotion run last season which included a semi-final winner and a penalty in the play off final shoot-out victory that sealed their return.

Speaking after handing Jones a first start in the side back in February last year it was clear that Williams was a fan “To come into this game from the beginning was difficult for him,” explained Williams after that first start against Chesterfield.

“There were some turnovers of the ball that you wouldn’t expect from a player of this quality but then he grew into the game and showed throughout the game what quality he has.  His attitude to run and to recover was so impressive and I am so happy with that.”

It was comments like that and the part that Jones played in promotion that led Williams to make the move permanent in the summer with Jones more than happy to commit to the Magpies “I’m absolutely over the moon to sign for Notts County,” he said at the time. “It’s a club that made me fall back in love with the game and I’m very grateful for that.

“I was always hoping to be offered something, and felt I’d done well enough, but in football you never know.

“I was really excited when my agent let me know that the club were keen to bring me in permanently. I was only focused on Notts and continuing at a club where I feel comfortable and happy, which is really valuable to any footballer.

“I’m so, so thankful to everyone who contributed to me coming here and I’m happy to have repaid some of that by playing a small part in getting the club back to where it belongs.”

Williams departure for the Swans at the end of December led Jones to take to his own social media channels to thank the manager for his part in his development with the player posting on X “I learnt so much & feel so lucky to have had the chance to work with you.  You took a chance & believed in me when not many did & you instantly made me rediscover my love for football.  This is something me & my family will be forever grateful for.  It was a honour, thank you”

The relationship between manager and player is clear to see on this basis and makes the links with the Swans even more plausible to believe that we could see a move for the player before the month is out.

In terms of transfer links with County players this is one that I can certainly believe has some legs and at the age of 26 there is certainly plenty of time ahead of Jones that means he fits many of the criteria that the Swans look at.   With Yannick Bolaise almost certain not to be offered any extended stay in SA1 Williams desire to work again with Jones could indeed shine through.

Let’s see what happens – as is always said, time will tell.

I learnt so much & feel so lucky to have had the chance to work with you. You took a chance & believed in me when not many did & you instantly made me rediscover my love for football. This is something me & my family will be forever grateful for. It was an honour, thank you 🤍 pic.twitter.com/ChHSzbXo4b

— Jodi Jones (@JodsJones) January 5, 2024

Stats: Jodi Jones – Stats 23/24 | Transfermarkt