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Tom Coleman

Michael Duff and Paul Watson face big transfer decisions as Swansea City enter massive summer of ins and outs


There are still a couple of loose ends to tie up, but the pieces of Swansea City's new era have, after weeks of glacial movement, started to fall into place.

As well as a shuffle inside the upper echelons of the club, including the recent appointment of Paul Watson as the club's sporting director, the club have turned to Northern Irishman Michael Duff as the man to take over the reins from the outgoing Russell Martin.

The squad are currently being put through their paces at a warm-weather training camp in Spain, but attention will soon turn to the transfer market - and there's clearly plenty of work to be done.

READ MORE: The truth behind Leicester City interest in Swansea City's Joel Piroe as Nottingham Forest and Everton make enquiries

Indeed, Duff and co have key decisions to make in almost every position this summer.

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In goal, there are still questions over Steven Benda's fitness ahead of the new season. The 24-year-old recently underwent surgery for a recent knee problem and has been sidelined since January. His rehabilitation is understood to be progressing on schedule, but he is nevertheless expected to miss the start of the season.

Andy Fisher is subsequently the only senior goalkeeping option left in the squad, and it's entirely plausible Duff may feel he needs to deepen his options between the sticks.

Elsewhere, there was arguably already a need to strengthen the full-back options before Joel Latibeaudiere and Ryan Manning departed on free transfers. Now, at least one other option on both sides will surely be needed.

Josh Key is a possibility, and has been on the radar since January. He's also been heavily linked this summer, following the expiration of his contract at Exeter City.

Meanwhile, Russell Martin is reportedly weighing up a possible move for either Ben Cabango and Nathan Wood after completing his move to Southampton. Swansea are under no pressure to sell, but should an attractive offer come in, it will surely at least be considered.

Then again, relations between the Swans and Southampton are clearly strained right now after the dispute over Martin's compensation package, so it remains to be seen whether there's any possibility of the two parties doing business together.

The same would probably apply to captain Matt Grimes, who's clearly a player Martin likes. There's every chance the current skipper will be of similar importance to Duff's new era.

The likes of Jamie Paterson may well see Duff's arrival as the chance of a new start too. Paterson twice seemed destined to leave under Martin, before bridges were built that allowed him to come back into the first-team fold.

In truth, we haven't seen the best of Paterson for some time, but there's no question he's a real asset when firing on all cylinders.

Nevertheless, with one year left on his current deal, and little sign at this stage of an extension, one has to wonder if there's a decision to be made.

Olivier Ntcham, who also has one year left on his deal, arguably falls into the same category, as too does Joel Piroe. Barring a pretty dramatic U-turn, Piroe is almost certain to leave SA1 before the end of the transfer window..

Two seasons of scoring 20-odd goals in the Championship will always attract attention. Leicester City, Southampton, and Premier League duo Everton and Nottingham Forest are all believed to have shown an interest. An unnamed side from Serie A is also believed to be seriously interested. Read more about that here.

With Piroe, one of a few saleable assets in this squad, out of contract next summer, Swansea need to cash in or risk losing the Dutchman for free - something that is inconceivable for the financial structure of the club. Duff, along with Coleman and Watson, will clearly want this situation wrapped up quickly, one way or another.

Then there's Morgan Whittaker, who still seems open to moving on to pastures new.

Previous admirers Rangers appear to have cooled their interest, although Coventry City are believed to monitoring his situation closely.

Forward options are likely already a priority for the Swans given the club still haven't actually replaced Michael Obafemi just yet. Getting the right price for Piroe and, if it comes to it, Whittaker too, will likely further underline the need for more firepower this summer.

READ MORE:    Today's rugby news as Six Nations format to change and Welsh rugby deadline arrives
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