Johnston is going nowhere say Sturm Graz

If the Swans did have an interest in Max Johnston – which Luke Williams hinted is probably the case – then it looks like it ended yesterday with a simple response from his club that the player was going nowhere.

Interest in the player first surfaced last week when it was reported in several places that he was a target for not just the Swans but also potentially Oxford and Stoke City as well after a season in Austria which saw him very much a bit part player as the league and cup double was secured by Sturm Graz.

His  move to Austria last year was said to be despite interest from elsewhere in Europe including both the Premier League and Championship and it was suggested at the time that the club could have felt that a Championship loan was the best action to continue his development.

Luke Williams was asked about any potential move at the weekend with his response only really hinting at what they were thinking when he said “As you can imagine I’m going to straight-bat that one.

“I think that he’s a versatile player. He plays on the outside of the pitch, yes, but he’s quite a dynamic player. I know that because I’ve seen the boy play and know some bits about him, but there’s nothing more I can tell you.”

However, on Monday afternoon Sturm Graz sporting director Andreas Schicker was also asked about any potential move for Max and his answer was much more forthright when he said “We want to keep Max and we don’t want to let him go.

“We have three players we have told can leave the club – Szymon Wlodarczyk, Manprit Sarkaria and Amadou Dante. Max is not on that list.”

It seems relatively clear from that statement that we can rule the Swans out from any move for the player.  Whilst “hands off” statements can always be tested on a permanent deal it was relatively clear here that any move would be a loan one and you can be relatively certain that on that basis Johnston will not be leaving Austria this summer.

In terms of targets and positions where strength is required this shouldn’t be seen as the biggest blow for the Swans given the performances of Josh Key on the right hand side.