Swansea agree Routledge fee July 31, 2011 Email Print By ESPNsoccernet staff Swansea City are poised to clinch a £2 million move for Newcastle winger Wayne Routledge, while they are also closing on Middlesbrough frontman Leroy Lita. Both players are expected to undergo medicals early next week and could feature in Wednesday's night's friendly with Celtic. "The bottom line is that we need to have a good squad, and these two are players who are going to help us stay in the league," boss Brendan Rodgers said at Swansea's pre-season training camp in Austria. "They have both played in the Premier League before, they are both hungry to push on and they both have pace." Lita, 26, made his name with Reading in the Premier League, while former England Under-21 man Routledge's career stalled after he was tipped for the top at Crystal Palace, when he failed to make the breakthrough at Spurs or Aston Villa. Most recently he impressed on loan at QPR, but Newcastle have decided to cash in and spend the money elsewhere in their squad.
As much as I would liked to have seen Routledge at QPR this coming season, he has never set the premier league alight Spuds, Villa or Newcasle will confirm. And having already played for us, you have to question whether he really wanted to join us again - after all, don't they say never go back? I am glad that Swansea are giving him an opportunity because I would rather spend that £2 mill transfer fee on a fullback or two. He has pace, just not sure he is premier league quality
Never done it in the prem and the greedy little sod can **** off to swansea he will be back in the championship come January anyway.
Sorry peter1954qpr, I do not think they will be back. Their manager is building a very strong team. Also spending a few bobs! Our lot should try that do you not think?
On who exactly?? And didn't you notice they've lost De Vris, Pratley and Borrini from last season? They're worse off than last yr.
Hi Ninj, I have some very good friends in Dorset! They live in Poundbury Dorchester, are you any where near that area?
January? Why do you say this Peter? £2m seems a lot for a player who fades in and out over 90 minutes. Routeledge is a cold fish who's record shows he has no loyalty to anyone other than himself - typical football mercenary type imo. I too am glad he's gone elsewhere. Can't agree with Brendan Rogers, Routeledge is unlikely to assist in keeping the Swans up.
He is no loss as far as I'm concerned, he's too lightweight, too greedy, the ball has to bounce 3 times before he can control it and he doesn't want to play for us. He is not the way forward. I'm glad he's outta here.
Brixton i only say this because his track record says once he's played half a season in the prem he takes a dive for the championship
Wow, this is really negative about Routledge for the most part. A couple of months ago most of us were enthused about having him back for the PL season when Warnock said he wanted him. The truth is surely somewhere in between: Routledge is no doubt a journeyman and an egotist but he can be really exciting on his day and is the type of player people come to see. Personally I wish him good luck for the future except when he plays against us of course.
James - I live in Verwood roughly an hour away from Dorchester. Haven't been there for a while but like the place
North - i agree he was good for us last season, but I have read that he has played for 6 premier teams without scoring a goal. Just think that he is one of those that (1) didn't want to return to QPR, (2) is very good for championship but not quite there in premier and (3) for £2 mill, i would rather spend the money on a couple of fullbacks.
he was great for us last year he blended well into our team spirit ... gelled well with AD ( as most players would!) and lifted his game won us some very good points .. good luck to him.
Hang on a minute, the clubs might have agreed a fee but the reason Routledge didn't move to us was due to Newcastle not paying him a loyalty bonus, isn't that right (ridiculous as it sounds)? So lets see if the personal terms get agreed first.
