These are your Swansea City transfer headlines on Wednesday, April 27.
Martin confident despite Allen departure
Swansea head coach Russell Martin says he is confident the club can land targets this summer despite the sudden departure of football director Mark Allen. News emerged over the weekend that Allen would be leaving his post at the Swansea.com Stadium, with Martin addressing the former Rangers chief's exit at his post-Bournemouth press conference.
He went on to add, though, that he feels optimistic that Swansea can still recruit players in accordance to the plan they have laid out.
"It's ever evolving, it's ever changing, so number one target now might be gone tomorrow, it might change, we might see something else, something different," he said. "I'm really confident that the plan we have in place is one that will improve us and that's all you can ever ask for.
READ MORE: Russell Martin addresses Mark Allen exit
"I'm really confident that we'll be supported as much as we possibly can be by Julian (Winter, CEO) and the owners. That's the whole point of having a lot of conversation, a lot of dialogue, so we all have clarity where it's at. I think the difference between January and now is where the team is at, how much we've learnt about the players, how much some players have really grown, and just what we need in terms of coming up against teams like tonight. If we're going to be anywhere near where we want to be then we have to compete with teams who are going to be similar in their (Bournemouth's) make-up."
Grimes: I cried for three days
Swansea skipper Matt Grimes has revealed he cried for three days' straight after the defeat to Brentford in last season's play-off final.
Grimes skippered the club to the Wembley showpiece event having seen off Barnsley in the semi-finals. Unfortunately, the Bees were just too good for Steve Cooper's side and ran out 3-0 winners in north London. The Exeter product, who recently clocked up 200 appearances for the Swans, said the emotions got to him at the final whistle, especially when he saw stricken team-mate Wayne Routledge, who suffered a long-term injury in the match against the Tykes.
"I had been to Wembley a couple of times to watch Exeter in play-off finals, the first time Gilly (Swans coach Matt Gill) got sent off," Grimes said.
"The atmosphere as a kid going to such an iconic ground was great, so I always wanted to tick that box in my playing career.
"I was gutted and when the final whistle went all of their lot (Brentford) were celebrating. I remember thinking 'just get me out of here', but I went and clapped our fans because they were sensational as always. I turned around and saw Wayne. I knew that he done his knee in and he was likely to be retiring and that just sent me.
"I don't think I stopped crying for about three days. It was a feeling like no other. I could not stop. It was me and Jamal (Lowe). He was always happy that nobody ever got a photo of him crying and he was bawling his eyes out. Honestly, I couldn't stop. The gaffer and Marshy (Mike Marsh) came in and were saying how proud they were but I couldn't stop. I went and laid on the physio bed and I couldn't stop. For the next three days, I was fine but then if I thought about it, I just started crying."
Cabango proud of milestone
Ben Cabango says he's proud of his journey from TNS to first-team Championship football as the centre-back celebrated bringing up 100 games for the club against Bournemouth on Tuesday night. It was an evening of mixed emotions for Cabango, who was forced off with injury in the 49th minute at the Swansea.com Stadium.
Cabango's departure triggered an unlikely comeback for the away team, who fought back from 3-0 down to gain a share of the spoils late on. The young defender has come on leaps and bounds under Russell Martin's stewardship and the next landmark has now been set.
“It’s a massive milestone. I didn’t even realise it was coming up to be fair, but it’s great to get an achievement like that,” he said. "It wasn’t a great night for me and the team losing a 3-0 lead, but it’s an achievement you look to get and I am proud of it.
“It means so much to me just to play any game for Swansea, so to get to 100 is massive. It’s been a long journey and you learn so much on the way and I wouldn’t have thought I’d be where I am now after that loan spell with TNS a few years ago.
"But everything has progressed well and I just need to keep working hard and get to the next level. There’s stuff you look back on like your debut, but I’m just looking ahead and hoping to get to 150 next.
"I’ve put a lot of hard work in the last few years and put in a lot of work in on the training ground and there have been coaches who have put their belief in me. I’ve always had belief in myself that I could achieve something like this, but it’s just down to all the hard work day in day out. I’m only 21 so I’ve still got a lot to learn and I know I can improve and I’m sure more chances to improve are going to come.”
Carlos linked with Championship job
Former Swansea boss Carlos Carvalhal has been linked with a return to English football for the second time in the space of a few days. Last week it was reported that the Portuguese was on Burnley's list of candidates to replace Sean Dyche at Turf Moor.
Now, The Sun report that Reading are keen on handing Carvalhal the reins in Berkshire after his stints at Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea. He is currently the boss of Braga in his homeland but is reportedly keen on a return to these shores. His deal with his current employers expires this summer and if Paul Ince isn't handed the Royals job full time, Carvalhal could well come under serious consideration.
Ince remained tight-lipped when asked last weekend about what his long-term future holds, saying: "Nothing will be addressed until we get back from Luton (the final game of the season on May 7). It's just nice the players can go home now and breathe, knowing they will be in the Championship next year."
