Swans Searching for a Striking Solution: The Summer Transfer Hunt

As the summer transfer window heats up, Swansea City finds itself at a crucial juncture, desperately seeking to bolster its attacking options. The lingering shadow of Joel Piroe’s departure continues to loom large, with the Swans struggling to consistently find the back of the net since the prolific Dutchman left for Leeds United. An overall increase in goals is not just desirable but essential for the upcoming season, and the club’s transfer activity in the striking department will be under intense scrutiny.

Last season, Swansea managed a paltry 51 league goals, with top scorer Liam Cullen only hitting 11.  This simply isn’t enough to compete at the top end of the Championship, and the attacking void left by Piroe, who bagged 46 goals in 96 appearances for the Swans, needs to be filled with genuine quality and proven goalscoring ability.

One name that has generated significant buzz among the Jack Army is a familiar one: Oli McBurnie. The Scottish international, who previously enjoyed a successful spell at the Swansea.com Stadium before his move to Sheffield United, is now a free agent after his current side, Las Palmas, was relegated from La Liga.  McBurnie’s potential return is an intriguing prospect. During his last stint with the Swans, particularly in the 2018/19 season, he demonstrated his predatory instincts, netting 22 Championship goals.  While his time at Bramall Lane and then in Spain saw a dip in his goal tally, the prospect of him recapturing his Swansea form is undoubtedly appealing. He brings not only goalscoring prowess but also a physical presence, strong aerial ability, and a knack for creating chances for teammates, as evidenced by his six assists and 24 chances created in his last season.  However, there’s a potential hurdle, with reports suggesting interest from Celta Vigo, who could offer top-flight football and even Europa League competition. The Swans will need to present a compelling case to entice him back to South Wales.

Adding to the complexities of the striking landscape, Mykola Kuharevich has already departed the club.  The Ukrainian forward, who joined from Troyes for nearly £2 million in 2023, never truly settled in South Wales.  He managed just one goal in 13 appearances for the Swans and spent last season on loan at Hibernian. His move to Slovakian champions Slovan Bratislava for an undisclosed fee means one less attacking option on the books, freeing up some wage budget but also highlighting the need for reinforcements.

Furthermore, it looks increasingly likely that Jerry Yates is heading to Blackpool. Yates, who spent last season on loan at Derby County, where he scored 10 goals, appears to be on the verge of returning to Bloomfield Road.  He had a successful spell there previously, bagging 46 goals in 139 games, and it seems a move back to a familiar environment in League One is on the cards. While Yates was a Swansea player last season, his potential departure further emphasizes the need for new faces in the attacking third.

Beyond McBurnie, the Swans have already been active in the transfer market, looking to address their attacking shortcomings.  They’ve invested £5 million in 23-year-old Swedish attacker Zeidane Inoussa from BK Hacken, who scored 11 goals last season.  Additionally, 20-year-old striker Bobby Wales has been signed from Kilmarnock in a six-figure deal.  These acquisitions signal a commitment to refreshing the attacking line, but the sheer volume of goals required suggests that further additions, particularly a proven Championship goalscorer, would be highly beneficial.

The challenge for Swansea’s recruitment team and manager Alan Sheehan is to find players who can not only contribute goals but also integrate seamlessly into the team’s playing style. The emphasis on an overall increase in goals is paramount, as the club aims for a more competitive showing in the Championship. The summer is still young, and the striking options available will dictate the Swans’ fortunes in the season to come. The hunt for that elusive prolific forward continues, with the hope that the new additions, coupled with a potential return for a familiar face in McBurnie, can reignite the attacking fire at the Swansea.com Stadium.