Tonight's Swansea City transfer news as club agree record deal for Lewis O'Brien
The latest news from the Swansea.com Stadium
Lewis O'Brien of Nottingham Forest
(Image:)
Here's your round-up of all the latest Swansea City news for Sunday, July 6.
Wrexham 'agree deal' for O'Brien
Wrexham have reportedly agreed a club-record fee for midfielder Lewis O'Brien.
However, it's claimed the Dragons are struggling to meet the Nottingham Forest man's wage demands. Sign up to our Swansea City newsletter here.
According to The Sun, Ryan Reynolds and co have lodged a £5m bid for O'Brien, with Forest seemingly keen on dropping their valuation of the player, which was understood to have previously been around £8m, in order to get an exit done.
However, while the move would break Wrexham's transfer record, the club are reportedly struggling to meet O'Bren's wage demands.
As such, the same report claims the move to north Wales is now in doubt, although he is unlikely to have a shortage of options this summer.
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WalesOnline understands the Swans are still be keeping a close eye on developments, despite their recent capture of midfielder Ethan Galbraith, although the chances of them putting together an acceptable package at this point seem slim.
Preston North End, Birmingham City and Southampton have also shown an interest in the midfielder this summer, along with Spanish giants Valencia.
Hull City had previously lodged a bid similar to that of the Dragons, but their transfer embargo appears to have scuppered hopes of a move to Humberside.
Boss makes Galbraith claim
Leyton Orient boss Richie Wellens has revealed that Ethan Galbraith turned down the advances of Huddersfield Town to join swansea-city-fc>Swansea City this summer.
The Northern Irishman was confirmed as a Swans player on Friday evening, having previously been a figure of long-term interest in SA1.
He was the subject of a failed deadline day bid back in January, with Orient batting away a bid understood to be around £750,000.
Swansea appeared to cool their interest earlier in the summer, but Galbraith was still a man in demand, with both Huddersfield and Charlton Athletic making offers.
However, as revealed by WalesOnline, Swansea reignited their interest in the 24-year-old and Wellens says a move to south Wales was always going to be the first choice for the midfielder, whom he's backed to go all the way to the Premier League.
"He had a few clubs interested and I gave him the total choice of what he wanted to do," Wellens said.
"Huddersfield came in, he didn't want to play in League One - he wanted to challenge himself in the Championship.
"Charlton came in, he didn't want to go to Charlton because he didn't feel he fitted into their style of football.
"Swansea came in, he feels he fits into their style of football. He's made his decision and we wish him all the best. He gets a move to play at a level he deserves to play at. I think ultimately he'll end up in the Premier League."
Prats backs Galbraith to shine
Swansea City legend Darren Pratley says the Jack Army are going to fall in love with Ethan Galbraith following the midfielder's move from East London.
Pratley, who made 199 Swansea appearances between 2006 and 2011, played with Galbraith at Orient over the last two seasons.
'I think Ethan will be loved down there by the Jack Army,' he said.
'He is a brilliant player. He is versatile, he can play midfield or he can play right-back but push up into those midfield areas.
'He is very good technically, but he is also tenacious and will give his all.
'He is an international player, one of the best players I have ever played with, to be honest, even though I have only played with him these last couple of years.
'I am sure he will be great for Swansea, I am looking forward to seeing him play for a distance.
'I can't believe he has left because he doesn't want to be coached by me! But, in all seriousness, Swansea fans have got a great player there, and I know they will take him in and look after him.
'I wish him good luck as a Jack.'
Pratley recently announced his retirement as a player, a move that will see him move into coaching at Brisbane Road, and Galbraith himself revealed he picked the 40-year-old's brains before making the move to the Swansea.com Stadium.
'I spoke to Darren Pratley, who is an absolute club legend,' Galbraith said.
'I spoke to Prats quite a bit over the last month and he had nothing but good things to say and he helped me make the decision as well.
'When you go to a new club you are always trying to find out bits and pieces but he was very positive.' Sign up to the Swansea City WhatsApp service to get breaking news and top stories sent to your phone.
Youngster on trial at Cheltenham
Swansea City attacking midfielder Ben Lloyd enjoyed a run out for Cheltenham Town on Friday night.
The 20-year-old was one of four trialists involved in a pre-season friendly victory over Bishop's Cleeve, with Town running 4-1 winners on the night.
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Lloyd is under contract at Swansea until next summer and his appearance is likely to be assessment ahead of a proposed loan move at the League Two club.
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