Looks like he's never actually played for Arsenal. Spent last season on loan at Blackpool and should therefore know Jerry Yates pretty well...
Downes to Southampton looking more likely? https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/2...t7VXFQvkI2ssmL4j7l3lcxf4acxq5WkrTdBe1iy5mxZiQ
Swansea City are in advanced talks to sign Chelsea defender Bashir Humphreys on loan, according to a report by Football Insider. Swansea City are looking to lure the youngster to Wales to bolster their defensive department.
Can’t imagine Chelsea lending him to us (or anybody for that matter)without any guarantees re play time
Swansea City has completed the signing of midfielder Charlie Patino on a season-long loan, subject to international clearance. The highly-rated 19-year-old joins for the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign from Premier League Arsenal, who he has been with since the age of 11. He will wear the number 18 shirt in SA1, and provides an additional midfield option for head coach Michael Duff with his dribbling ability and range of passing. Patino becomes Swansea's seventh summer signing following the arrivals of Josh Ginnelly, Josh Key, Jerry Yates, Carl Rushworth, Mykola Kuharevich and Harrison Ashby. Following stints with St Albans City and Luton Town, Patino – who is an England age-grade international and also qualifies to represent Spain – joined the Gunners in 2015 and has worked his way through the ranks. He made his first-team debut for the north London club in a Carabao Cup meeting with Sunderland in December 2021, scoring a goal in a 5-1 win, before featuring in an FA Cup defeat to Nottingham Forest the following month. He spent last season on loan in the Championship with Blackpool, where he played alongside another summer signing in Jerry Yates, and impressed in a side battling at the lower end of the table.
In fairness, the new regime - new Yanks/Watson/Duff have (on paper) produced the best transfer window in years
With the nucleus of last year’s team still there, plus these new signings hopefully we can go closer - but I think on paper it is a stronger Championship this year
Swansea City have completed the signing of defender Nathan Tjoe-A-On for an undisclosed fee, subject to international clearance and visa approval. The 21-year-old joins the Swans from Dutch club Excelsior on a three-year contract – which includes the option for an additional 12 months through to the summer of 2027 - and he will wear the number 21 shirt in SA1. The defender's arrival provides head coach Michael Duff with a left-footed option as he seeks greater balance in his squad. Born in Rotterdam, Tjoe-A-On came through the youth set-up at Excelsior and made his senior debut for them in 2019. He helped them secure promotion in a dramatic play-off final at the end of the 2021-22 season, and he made 29 appearances in the Dutch top-flight last season, winning the division’s young player of the month award in September 2022.
Swansea City captain Matt Grimes has put pen to paper on a two-year contract extension through to the end of June 2027. The 28-year-old midfielder’s deal had been due to expire in the summer of 2025, but this agreement secures the long-term future of a player who made his 250th appearance for Swansea City against Hull in April. It would also see Grimes bring up a dozen years in Swansea colours, with the midfield general having first joined the club from Exeter City in January 2015.
Hopefully, it is a ‘timing issue’ - Duff and the squad taking time to get to know each other and learn the new game plan. Don’t forget that last year we started with a defeat (Blackburn), then a draw (lost on pens to Oxford) and a win (away to Blackpool) - so not ‘hugely’ different to this season
One thing I will say, you buggers are lucky. I know have to put up with Martins interviews on the radio and tv. He’s currently on page 3 of his interviews.
