Here's your round-up of all the latest Swansea City headlines for Wednesday, July 12.
Swans 'open talks' with Barkas
Swansea City have reportedly opened talks former Celtic goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas.
According to Greek outlet Sportime, via The Sun, discussions over a possible free transfer are in motion, with the 29-year-old currently without a club since leaving Celtic earlier this summer. Barkas spent last season loan on loan at Dutch side FC Utrecht after falling down the pecking order at Parkhead.
Now, there is a suggestion he could link up with Michael Duff at the Swans, who are understood to be on the lookout for more goalkeeping options this summer.
Steven Benda remains on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on a knee issue, and is expected to miss the start of the new Championship campaign. Adreas Sondergaard was previously brought in as cover for Andy Fisher, but his short-term contract expired at the end of last season. As such, Fisher is currently the only senior keeper in Duff's squad, although youngster Lewis Webb has played in both pre-season friendlies.
Buchanan linked
Swansea City and Birmingham City are reportedly battling it out to sign former Derby County full-back Lee Buchanan.
The 22-year-old joined Werder Bremen last summer after leaving the Rams, and made 23 appearances in all competitions for the German side last term. However, only three of those games were starts, and he has now been tipped to move on.
Football Insider claims both the Swans and Blues are taking a keen interest. Strengthening his left-sided options has become a key priority for Swans boss Duff, and it seems Buchanan may now be seen as a potential solution.
Manning buzzing at Martin reunion
Ryan Manning says the chance to link up with Russell Martin again was too good to turn down.
Manning confirmed a move to Southampton on Tuesday night after leaving Swansea City on a free transfer earlier in the summer, and he was quick to cite the influence of his former Swans boss as a decisive factor in his decision to move to St Mary's.
"When he came to Swansea, I played as a centre-half for the first season and then obviously wing-back and left-back for last season and he just had a massive impact on my career both on and off the pitch," he said. "He brought me on leaps and bounds as a player, taught me other sides of the game, the professional side of it, and brought that part on and I had my best season under him last season, so the opportunity to work with him and all the staff again was just one I couldn't turn down. I'm excited to build on last season from a personal point of view and obviously with the goal of getting promoted, which is the main aim for everyone."
Duff pleased with progress
Swansea City head coach Michael Duff says he's pleased by the way his players have adapted to his methods this summer. Duff watched on as the Swans earned a goalless draw against Brondby in their latest pre-season friendly at Fairwood on Tuesday, and he was clearly pleased with what he saw.
“It was a tough game. The step up in opposition was quite significant from Saturday,” he said. “The last couple of days has been about working out of possession and knowing when to press and not to press, so it’s bit by bit at this stage of pre-season.
“I’ve been pleased with the attitude of the players and their willingness to take on new information. The attitude and the physicality they’ve shown and the willingness to run hard for each other is really pleasing from my point of view."
