Your Swansea City headlines for Monday, June 27.
Owls monitor Joseph situation
Sheffield Wednesday have shown an interest in Swansea striker Kyle Joseph, WalesOnline understands.
The 20-year-old featured twice under Russell Martin in the Carabao Cup last term before being sent out on loan to Cheltenham Town for the duration of the 2021/22 season. However, his loan with the Robins was cut short as he returned to south Wales in January.
He went on to make 10 substitute appearances for the Swans in the second half of last season but has continued to attract plenty of transfer interest, with Portsmouth keen on a deal for the ex-Wigan Athletic man. And it's understood Sheffield Wednesday - who were beaten by Sunderland in the League One play-off semi-finals last season - are also exploring the option of signing Joseph.
The youngster still has three years left to run on his Swans contract, although the club are open to offers for the versatile attacker - who can also play at wing-back. Joseph was with his Swansea team-mates at their Pennyhill Park training camp last week and is now continuing his preparations for the upcoming campaign at the club's Fairwood base.
READ MORE: Swansea transfer news as Joe Allen issues statement after Stoke exit and coach verdict given
Terriers ruled out of Allen mix
Huddersfield Town are not in the running to sign Joe Allen, according to our sister title YorkshireLive.
Swansea are keen to sign the free agent following his exit from Stoke City, although he is understood to have a number of offers on the table, including some from abroad. The 32-year-old is currently on holiday with his family in Spain having helped Wales to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar.
But our colleagues who cover the Terriers state Huddersfield are not contenders to clinch Allen's signature, despite reports elsewhere linking the midfielder with a switch to the John Smith's Stadium.
Allen is currently mulling over his options having rejected the chance to sign a new contract with Stoke. Confirming his exit from the bet365 Stadium last week, the Welshman said in a statement: "After six years it’s tough to be leaving but I believe it’s the right time for both myself and the club to be parting ways. There’s so many players and staff who I’ve loved working with and who have made it a pleasure to be at the club.
“I’m also grateful to those supporters who have got behind the team through the good but also tougher times. I’m confident that with the current management and group of players there will be exciting times ahead. All the best, Joe.”
Set-piece blend sought
Andy Parslow wants Swansea to continue to be a serious threat from open play while improving their capabilities from set plays next season.
The 31-year-old was appointed as the club's new set-piece coach last week as Swansea look to address what was one of their biggest weaknesses last season. Indeed, the Swans scored just twice from set plays last term, the lowest total of all 92 sides in the Premier League and English Football League.
Swansea believe the recent addition of Harry Darling can play a part in improving their set-piece fortunes, although, having netted 53 times from open play in the Championship last term - the third best tally in the division behind the top two Fulham and Bournemouth - Parslow believes Russell Martin's men need to find the right balance when it comes to their approach at both ends of the pitch.
“You look at how Swansea play, the dominance of the ball, scoring a lot of goals from open play; if we can add more goals from set-pieces to that equation then hopefully it helps us in the future," he told the club website. “We are not going to be reinvented as a set-piece team, that is not what this is about. We are not suddenly going to recruit a load of 6ft 7in players.
“It’s about complementing the identity we have here and adjusting it to make us effective at set-pieces as a team. I hope I can help, it is about finding those marginal gains, but I feel there is scope for a big leap to be achieved here as opposed to a marginal gain.
“If we can improve it will make a difference. If a set-piece goal turns a draw into a win, or defending set-pieces well ensures you draw and do not lose, that all adds up over the course of a season.
“It’s important to be strategic. Not every team is the same, so you have to find ways to be effective in your own manner.
“It might look a bit different, it could be the use of quick free-kicks, short corners, certain routines that create different contacts and angles. It’s about being well prepared for the strengths and weakness of the opponent."
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Downes attracting interest
Flynn Downes has attracted transfer interest from three Premier League clubs, WalesOnline understands.
Swansea have received enquiries from Crystal Palace, Southampton and Wolves for the midfielder - who is currently training with his team-mates at Fairwood having been at Pennyhill Park last week. The 23-year-old still has three years left to run on his contract at the Swansea.com Stadium, although the club's owners are keen to raise funds this summer, either through player sales or by trimming the wage bill, in a bid to plug a financial hole.
The Swans would want around £11m to £12m for the former Ipswich Town man. You can read the full update on Downes here.
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