The transfer window isn’t even open yet, but the blades of the rumor mill are nevertheless starting to whir ahead of what promises to be an important summer for Swansea City.
Bobby Wales and Zeidane Inoussa have both been brought on board already to complement the arrival of Melker Widell, who will finally link up with the squad after signing in January.
But there’s clearly more to do before the new season gets underway, and a number of players have already been tipped as possible targets.
Here’s a quick rundown on the players that have been linked with the Swans so far.
Luka Modric
Despite his involvement in the club as a minority stakeholder, the prospect of the Croatian pulling on a Swansea shirt any time soon is something of a pie-in-the-sky fantasy right now.
Modric is certainly keen on extending his career and had indeed hoped to land another year at Real Madrid.
His release from the Bernabeu doesn’t appear to have changed that, with next summer’s World Cup in North America now seemingly earmarked as his last dance as a player.
A move to MLS has been mooted, with reports in Spain claiming that David Beckham’s Inter Miami are particularly keen.
Saudi Arabia could potentially be another destination, while a move to Rangers, who are seemingly eyeing up a move to make Modric’s former Real colleague Davide Ancelotti their next manager, hasn’t been ruled out.
South Wales, however, doesn’t appear to be on the agenda – not as a player anyway.
Ben Davies
Similar to Modric in that it’s a link largely based on collective hope rather than actual substance.
The defender’s future at Tottenham feels uncertain heading into the summer window, with the current Wales captain set to become a free agent next month.
Then again, our colleagues at Football London have previously reported that Spurs are set to activate the option for another 12 months.
However, nothing has yet been confirmed, which has allowed speculation around the 32-year-old to intensify in recent weeks and caused some members of the Jack Army to dream of an emotional reunion.
The chances of that coming to fruition, however, look very slim indeed and have been roundly dismissed by club insiders.
Sources have told WalesOnline that Saudi Arabia could potentially be an option should Davies end up leaving North London, while reports elsewhere have linked the likes of Leeds United as possible admirers.
Oli McBurnie
A return that perhaps has a little more substance – although it seems a lot would need to happen for it to get over the line.
McBurnie is one of several names currently being assessed by Swansea’s recruitment team ahead of the summer window, but that seems to be as far as their interest has gone at this stage.
At the time of writing, there’s no offer on the table for the 28-year-old, who’s become a free agent due to the terms of his contract with Las Palmas following their relegation from La Liga.
Hull City have also been touted as possible admirers of McBurnie, who was a big fan favorite during his first stint at Swansea, after scoring 26 goals in 62 appearances.
There are likely to be others in the mix following news of his release, but in terms of Swansea, there’s an acceptance that the main stumbling block could well be the finances involved.
Ricardo Santos
A name that’s cropped up a couple of times in reports elsewhere this summer.
According to Football League World, Swansea has made a contract offer to the 29-year-old, who’s to leave Bolton Wanderers this summer following the expiration of his deal there.
They also claim Sheffield Wednesday have made similar moves to sign the center-back.
Club insiders have played down those suggestions to WalesOnline, but a move hasn’t been ruled out.
From a financial point of view at least, it could well make some sense.
Gora Diouf
The latest name to be linked.
French outlet Foot Mercato claims Swans are among a clutch of clubs chasing the highly rated center-back.
Diouf has caught plenty of attention following a strong season for Swiss side FC Sion, and the suggestion is the 21-year-old is attracting interest from Turkey, France, and indeed elsewhere in Switzerland.
Clubs in the Championship, too, have been touted.
As well as the Swans, West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield United have also been credited with interest, and that level of competition alone could prove problematic to any hopes of a move to South Wales.
Carlton Morris
The striker was touted as a possible target on social media by fansite Only Swans.
They said at the time that the Swans had launched an inquiry into the availability of the 29-year-old, who worked with current boss Sheehan during their time at Luton together. Sign up for our Swansea City newsletter here.
Morris netted eight goals in the Championship last season and was part of the Hatters side that won promotion to the Premier League two years prior.
However, WalesOnline understands Morris is not considered a serious target for the club at this time.
Ethan Erhahon
Swansea had a bid knocked back by Lincoln City for the midfielder knocked back earlier this month, and it seems unlikely they’ll be back to the table.
Lincoln’s valuation of the Scotland under-21 international was seemingly beyond what Swansea was willing to pay, and with several other clubs also believed to be taking an interest, there was some unease at getting involved in what the hierarchy felt could develop into a bidding war.
As such, it’s understood they’ve now moved on to other targets.
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