Latest news with #AlanSheehan
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Swansea piecing together transfer 'puzzle'
Director of football Richard Montague says Swansea City are piecing together a transfer "puzzle" in their bid to strengthen for next have already agreed deals for winger Zeidane Inoussa and teenage striker Bobby Wales, while defender Ricardo Santos is poised to sign on a free and January recruit Melker Widell will arrive in there is plenty more work to do, with a left-sided centre-back and a defensive midfielder understood to be the club's leading priorities as things are also looking at attacking options – including Oli McBurnie – and remain interested in re-signing Lewis O' may also be further defensive additions depending on which players depart this summer, with Harry Darling's future still says Swansea have discussed a string of potential deals – and is "very confident" Alan Sheehan's new-look squad will be stronger than the one which finished last season. A move for Swansea old boy McBurnie, who is available on a free transfer following Las Palmas' relegation from La Liga, would be an eye-catching one, though much is likely to depend on whether fellow forwards Jerry Yates and Mykola Kuharevich come back into the fold in about McBurnie, who scored 26 goals in 62 appearances in his previous spell at Swansea, Montague said: "I think everybody knows about Oli and his qualities and his situation as well."He is one we have spoken about and will be a name on various lists that we have. He is clearly a very, very good player, but I'd be unwilling to say whether that's progressing or has progressed any further."In theory a lot of things are conceivable, but it depends on where you are not going to spend money elsewhere."Not necessarily talking about Oli McBurnie, but it's all a puzzle where you say how much do we value a particular player, what can he add to us, and how much of our budget should we allocate to any player?" Montague says "all options are on the table" regarding Yates, who impressed during a loan spell at Derby last season but is under contract at Swansea for at least one more year."We need to have proper conversations with him and his agent to discuss what is the best way forward for him. Nothing is decided yet," Montague situation is similar with Kuharevich, who was on loan at Hibernian in 2024-25, while goalkeeper Andy Fisher and midfielders Cameron Congreve and Joel Cotterill are also due back in Wales after loan spells away.O'Brien has gone in the opposite direction, returning to parent-club Nottingham Forest after thriving at Swansea having joined on loan in 26-year-old has expressed an interest in rejoining Swansea, but has a year to run on his contract at the City says there have been "good conversations with Forest" about the idea of O'Brien returning. "They were really good to deal with last season. They sent us a really nice message to thank us for how well Lewis did with us, which was great to receive," he added."The ball is a little bit in their court at the moment because of Lewis' contract situation. He is on a Premier League salary and there needs to be some give in some sense to make it work for us. But it's definitely an option that's still on the table."We are talking to Lewis and having good conversations with Forest. We would love to be able to do something. It's just timing and matching it all up with the financial realities."Swansea have been linked with a move for another midfielder, Lincoln City's Ethan Erhahon, and are thought to have tabled a bid earlier in the Montague has indicated Swansea will not be signing the 24-year-old, saying: "We have talked about so many players and quite a lot have got to the point where we have spoken to agents or clubs. There isn't anything concrete in that one." No interest in Franco yet - and no news on Fulton Montague, meanwhile, says there has been no interest in player-of-the-year Goncalo Franco so far this has been touted as a potential target for clubs in Europe on the back of a fine first season in Wales, but Montague said: "There is so much noise around this time of the year, which is understandable because people need things to write about."But until we have anything concrete, there is nothing for me to say about it. He has obviously had a brilliant season and we would love to keep him here, so let's hope that's what happens."Jay Fulton is another Swansea player who has been linked with a summer exit, with Plymouth Argyle mentioned as potential suitors for the long-serving Montague has suggested Sheehan's squad needs the experience of Fulton following the summer departures of old heads like Joe Allen, Kyle Naughton and Cyrus Christie."Jay did unbelievably well for us when he came into the team at the back end of the season - he gave us some great minutes and is an unbelievable character," he said."He is a senior player, which is probably lacking a bit in that age profile now with some of the key departures we had. He is an important player for us and there is no news about any offers or movement with Jay."
BBC News
22-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Swansea to appoint Celtic's O'Dea as assistant boss
Swansea City are close to finalising a deal to make Celtic's Darren O'Dea their new assistant boss to head coach Alan March, Sheehan added former team-mates Richard Stearman and Mark Fotheringham to his backroom team on short-term after being appointed Swansea's head coach on a permanent basis, Sheehan said further changes to his staff were likely during the close has been targeting his fellow Irishman O'Dea since taking over as Swansea's interim head coach in 38-year-old is currently on Celtic's staff under former Swansea boss Brendan a player, O'Dea represented the likes of Celtic, Reading, Leeds United, Blackpool and Dundee as well as having spells in Canada, Ukraine and O'Dea won 20 caps for the Republic of Ireland having played international youth football in the same sides as Sheehan, who is also 38.O'Dea began his coaching career at Motherwell before returning to Celtic in was initially under-18s boss before stepping up to take charge of Celtic B in 2021, and became player pathway manager in 2024.
Wales Online
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Swansea City's new signing exploded on to the scene and could be 'very exciting' as rivals' interest revealed
Swansea City's new signing exploded on to the scene and could be 'very exciting' as rivals' interest revealed The Swans have completed a move for Scottish youngster Bobby Wales Bobby Wales joins Swansea on the back of a breakout season for Kilmarnock (Image: Getty Images ) It's felt hugely refreshing to see Swansea City moving so early in transfer window, particularly in the context of so many chaotic, frantic, and ultimately disappointing recruitment drives at SA1 in recent years. There's still a fair amount of work ahead, of course, and there's likely to be plenty of twists and turns over the coming months. But the mood heading into the summer is an undeniably positive one right now, with Alan Sheehan already set to welcome three new faces into the building ahead of the new season. Sign up to the Swansea City WhatsApp service to get breaking news and top stories sent to your phone With Melker Widell already set to come on board, Swansea clinched a deal for Swedish winger Zeidane Inoussa a couple of weeks ago. Now, Scottish youngster Bobby Wales has also been confirmed as the latest to come through the door. The teenager is set to run down his contract at current club Kilmarnock, and has signed a four-year deal with the Swans, which will kick in from June 1. The 19-year-old is currently one of Scottish football's brightest young prospects. Indeed, after making his debut for his boyhood club in 2022, last season was something of a breakout campaign for the forward, who racked up 34 appearances in all competitions, netting five goals. Article continues below Wales said his goodbyes to the club on Sunday in the final-day defeat to Hearts, and there are already plenty backing him for a bright future. 'We look forward to working with him, developing him further in his all-round game, and hopefully helping him fulfil his potential," said boss Alan Sheehan when reacting to news of his imminent arrival "We believe he has the potential to develop into an important player for Swansea City," added director of football Richard Montague. While potentially capable of bringing something to the first team table from the off, Wales is likely to be something of a project signing. A player that's perhaps going to need a bit of time to develop, and get used to the rigours of the Championship, of course. Callum Carson, sports writer at the Daily Record, certainly believes there's still some way for him to go in terms of his journey. "I'd be surprised if he's an immediate starter at that level," he tells WalesOnline. "He's just quite raw. I know that's quite a hard thing to necessarily define, but he's a player that can often drift in and out of games, so I guess you're looking for a bit more consistency just in terms of his actions in terms of him being that focal point. "He can struggle against more experienced centre-backs, so he needs to learn the intelligent side of the game. He has a lot of natural ability, but whether he has that deep understanding of how to be a number nine, I'm not so sure about yet." Whether Wales will actually be a number nine at all, is something of a debate in itself. "We're still not quite sure what he is," Carson adds. "When he was only getting 10 or 15 minutes off the bench in the first half of the season, Derek McInnes would regularly say that he wasn't a number nine, and I understand why because he's not that typical sort of target man with a bulky presence that's good in the air or what not. "But he can hold off defenders, he's got good feet and he's a natural finisher. I would class him more as an attacker rather than a number nine at this point. But I would imagine with growth and experience, maybe even bulking up a bit, a number nine could be his future certainly." Wherever Wales plays, the youngster's raw potential has earned him a fair number of accolades in recent months, including Kilmarnock's Young Player of the Season award. "He's a local boy and there's obviously nothing football fans love more than a local boy coming through the academy and coming good," Carson continues. "He won Goal of the Month for February with his goal against St Johnstone. That goal is the ultimate example of how good a finisher he is. "His first goal for the club was actually a 90th-minute equaliser in Europe at home, and that got a lot of fans on side and thinking he could be something special. "He was shortlisted for Football Writers' Player of the Year and he's got himself in the Scotland under-21s team, so he's definitely stepped up this season. If he can keep up that trajectory he could be very exciting." Wales was given a positive reception when he was substituted off after 65 minutes in his last appearance at Rugby Park, and Carson believes many supporters have respected the youngster's decision to move on. "There's a bit of disappointment, but I think most fans are pragmatic enough to know that it was a very difficult move to turn down. I think the general feeling is that he's leaving with best wishes." The step up to Championship level is clearly going to be a challenge, but Swansea were not the only second tier side to take an interest in Wales this summer. Sign up to our Swansea City newsletter here "There were a few Championship clubs that were in for him," Carson claims. "I heard Hull City were one of them. Plymouth were another. Funnily enough the Plymouth manager, Miron Muslic, was the manager at Cercle Brugge when Kilmarnock played them. I don't think Bobby actually played in either of those games, but that might have been a link he kept an eye on. "But it seemed like Swansea was the obvious choice for him." It remains to be seen just how Swansea handle him over the coming campaign. A four-year deal suggests they really believe in the forward's abilities, and those that have watched him week in, week out believe the tools are there for him to truly establish himself in the Championship - although it may take some time. Article continues below "Certainly talking to folks at Kilmarnock and his team-mates, they all rate him highly," Carson adds. "They definitely believe there's a lot of room for him to kick on. "There's always that feeling that you're not really a footballer until you've played 100 games. He's going to be around better players, better facilities and so on. He's got the raw ability, though, to go on to another level and establish himself at the higher end of the Championship. "I don't know how long it will take him to get there, it might take a couple of years. But he has the talent to get there."
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Vipotnik may face another busy summer
Swansea City striker Zan Vipotnik may be in line for a second successive busy went to Euro 2024 with Slovenia during the close season last year, featuring as a substitute during his country's draw with Serbia at the tournament in is no senior major compeitition for European sides this year, of course, but Vipotnik is in contention to play at the Uefa European Under-21 Under-21s have qualified for the tournament for the first time – though they have featured before as hosts – having topped their qualifying group ahead of the likes of France and though Vipotnik turned 23 in March, he is still young enough to feature for a Slovenia side who are in a group with Germany, Czech Republic and holders first game is against the Germans on 12 head coach Alan Sheehan is likely to be watching with interest, particularly with his squad likely to return for pre-season training at roughly the same time as the Uefa tournament draws to a close.
BBC News
14-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Loanees make cases for Swans future after season away
While the end of Swansea City's season prompts speculation as to which new players could arrive, there is also a batch of players who will coach Alan Sheehan could benefit from several Swans who have spent the 2024-25 season getting their games had a string of players out on loan last term, some of whom could yet figure in the senior side's plans going most high-profile of the batch was striker Jerry Yates, who is due to rejoin the squad for pre-season after a successful spell at Derby boss John Eustace admitted the 28-year-old's future would be a summer conversation to be had, after 10 goals and four assists helped the Pride Park club stay in the it remains to be seen whether Swansea would look to keep the player, who has a year remaining on the deal he signed when arriving from Blackpool in Ukrainian forward Mykola Kuharevich also has a year to run on his deal in south Wales having spent last term at a lengthy injury lay-off over the winter, the 23-year-old has hit five goals in 24 Scottish Premier League (SPL) appearances during his time in Scotland, with Hibs close to sealing European football next has recently admitted his future is unclear but was keen to helping the club earn a third-placed SPL finish as a farewell. Goalkeeper Andy Fisher – who fell behind Lawrence Vigouroux in the Swansea pecking order after getting injured in pre-season – has also played regular games in Scotland, featuring 17 times for St Johnstone and catching the eye in a shock win over Celtic that threatens to take their survival battle to the final 27, also has a year remaining on his Swansea contract, as does 23-year-old stopper Nathan Broome who left for Port Vale in January. He did not make a league appearance, but was a regular back-up as Darren Moore's side won promotion from League midfielder Joel Cotterill caught the eye in the same division for Swindon Town, winning the club's goal of the season for a 30-yard effort against Port Vale. The 20-year-old Wales age-grade international was a key man in the Robins' turnaround in form under Ian Holloway and is being tipped to fight for first-team contention when he returns to academy graduate Cameron Congreve, 21 (pictured above), also impressed in League Two with 40 outings for Bromley, scoring five – including one against Newcastle United in the FA Cup. He is said to have gained much from his first regular season, with his performances leading to a new deal with the Swans in March.
