Former Bristol City playmaker Jamie Paterson is free to leave Swansea City this month, providing a suitable buyer can be found, with manager Russell Martin disappointed by his output.
Paterson is without a goal or assist in 12 games this season, with only four starts in the Championship, and his lack of production was highlighted by Martin in the wake of their 4-0 win over Watford on December 30, with the 31-year-old left out of the Swans matchday 18 and then again for the 2-1 defeat to Burnley three days later.
There are even some doubts if he’ll be included for Sunday’s FA Cup tie against City at Ashton Gate on Sunday, but Swansea need to keep him in the show window to an extent, to try and facilitate a sale over the next four weeks.
Paterson still has 18 months to run on a contract he signed last summer following considerable turmoil in south Wales as he accused the clubs of broken promises over an initial extension which was triggered and QPR were reported to have had two offers turned down.
A popular figure in BS3 throughout his five years at City, his time at the club was brought to an end by Nigel Pearson in the summer of 2021 with the Robins manager later indicating Paterson had got too comfortable in his surroundings.
Explaining Paterson’s absence against Watford, along with forward Michael Obafemi who is also available for transfer, Martin told Wales Online : "I'm really grateful for their contribution last season. This season I don't think there's been a huge contribution in terms of stats and goals.
"The bottom line is there were 18 players in the squad tonight who deserved to be in it more than the others. That's all there is to it really."
With reference to Obafemi but also relevant to Paterson’s position, he added: The door’s never closed. We have shown that last year, shown it at my last club – the door is never closed for anyone. But the relationship needs to be reciprocal. We give the players everything we possibly can and we still wonder if that’s enough.
“But energy is not limitless, it is not boundless. At some point it needs to be reciprocal and at some point it’s better investing it in people who really want it.”
This season is a huge departure from his first campaign for the Swans where Paterson scored nine goals and added nine assists from midfield, indicating that City had made a mistake in allowing him to leave Ashton Gate. A decision that now looks increasingly justified.
Since moving along the M4, Paterson has made three appearances against City - two at Ashton Gate where he was a 70th-minute substitute in the 1-1 draw in October.
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