http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footba...y-despite-tabloid-speculation-91466-30144030/ This rag is not usually bigging us up even though they are Welsh, but some truth here I think>>>> SWANSEA CITY and their players may be the talk of the tabloids, but Football Correspondent CHRIS WATHAN explains why not to expect any January sales at the Liberty SWANSEA CITY didn’t waste any time, even if the rest of the world did. Within hours of claimed interest in Michel Vorm from Manchester United and more, chairman Huw Jenkins was letting it be known there’s been no inquiry in the Dutchman, official or otherwise. Given Vorm can’t move again before August having played for Utrecht earlier this year, that’s no surprise. Neither is the fact that Swansea’s stars are now the new names to throw into the transfer tittle-tattle following that sit-up showing against Arsenal – even though they’ve been a top-flight team for only five months. Still, Jenkins and his manager know full well it won’t be long before the phone starts ringing. And doesn’t stop. Not simply for conversations over Vorm, but several of the Swans standing out are going to be attracting interest from the top clubs and those who like to think they’re top clubs. You’d be more surprised if they weren’t. Such is the way Ashley Williams, Joe Allen et al are playing in this, their Premier League bow, what scout worth his salt wouldn’t be heading to South Wales to see for themselves. That’s the Premier League. That’s football. The difference for Swansea is that Jenkins doesn’t have to answer the phone. Not this month at least. The arrival of Swansea on the nationwide agenda will make sure there is more speculation that ever before over players and apparent interest from all quarters. But it is clear from talk within the walls of the Liberty Stadium that unless the silly season brings with it silly money, there will be no key exits. Any club could do with the cash a big sale can bring – just ask the likes of Arsenal and Aston Villa. If Manchester United can sell Cristiano Ronaldo, everybody has their price. Just less so now when it can cost. The long-term riches on offer for pushing on as a Premier League club will outweigh any quick buck from the January sales. And if Swansea were ready to turn down a similar figure from Newcastle for Scott Sinclair last year, why would a reported £5m bid-in-waiting from Liverpool for the flier be of interest now? Whispers of Liverpool’s affection for Joe Allen have grown louder of late, but even those reports accept there will be no testing of the waters until the summer. And, as with Vorm, Newcastle-linked Williams, Arsenal-linked Neil Taylor, much can happen between now and then where the picture could be vastly different on either side. Don’t forget, Swansea and Jenkins have shown they are willing to play it tough when it comes to transfers. Although the injury that followed skews things somewhat, the big bids for Ferrie Bodde a few years back were all rebuffed with real intent. So if clubs are going to come calling at the end of the season – and not just register obvious and inevitable interest – then they will be prepared to pay. Williams was apparently only worth a couple of million to QPR in August; his performances have shown that up for the nonsense it was. Because if Roger Johnson cost Wolves £7m what price Wales’ best centre-half for a generation? If £20m Jordan Henderson is to be ousted by Allen as has been reported elsewhere... well, you do the math. And, lest we forget, all those figures do not come in isolation but with the context of success on the field thrown in. Rodgers insisted recently that his players are at the perfect club to develop their game, almost echoing Jenkins’ sentiments at the start of the season that it should take a top-four club to tempt Swansea’s stars away. The way the club are going right now, you can see the point. Plus, don’t underestimate Rodgers himself in all this talk of interest. Persuasive and pushing the club forward, he knows the real interest should be in what’s still to come from this incredible Swans story. And he’ll be sure to let any targeted players know that too. So, while the phone may ring, don’t expect it to be answered for a while yet. Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footba...oid-speculation-91466-30144030/#ixzz1jm2vBlf5
Interesting...but did we really knock back the Toon on Sinclair, and now Liverpool? Think he's on about Taylor and Dyer respectively. Not sure.
Yes read that late last night, seems to be saying very much what we as fans have discussed on here, if you ask me!...............
Very good read swimaway, i dont think anyone will go in Jan unless there is Andy caroll type money offered, the summer will be a different matter though, i read somewhere that Liverpool have offered £5m for scotty!! WTF!! why do clubs think they can get our players for **** all??
I think we have all of our key players on long contracts, so this close season we don't have to listen to anything from agent nor other club. I tell you one thing that shone out from the Arsenal game was Ash's performance. Ash just looked so comfortable and in-command on the ball - a stellar performance. He and Caulker got their partnership crossed up once or twice, but heck, who where they lined up against - RVP and Walcott, then Henry added to the mix as well. It should be expected that top forwards will find a way to cross-up good defenders now and again during a match.
Looking at the the game again caulker had a below par performance but at 19yrs old he has been immense for us this season the odd iffy performance is to be expected,he still did well overall but question marks over his positioning on a few occasions The summer time will test our resolve(if we stay up) unless there is silly money on offer though i dont see anybody wanting to leave, if we do stay up i would like to think the club will reward the players with hefty bonuses to top up their average premiership wages, this might help to keep some of the vultures away and keep everybody happy on the money front. If we go down then i would expect to see up to 6-7 players leave to premier teams, hopefully that wont be happening though!!
contracts or no contracts the club will always listen to other clubs offers, they dont even have to tell the player involved at that stage. what i dont like is when clubs use the press to inform players they are interested in him as they are not allowed to approach the player without permission. We all know that a phone call in the right ear can turn a players head when he finds out what is on offer at the club after him........Contracts are not worth the paper they are written on unless players are forced to honour the contract signed, all this buy out clause should be scrapped and any club found trying to poach a player through the back door should be relegated. i dont care if it is man u/c, chelsea or wigan......
