Your Swansea City headlines for Friday, July 22.
Hornets target former loanee
Watford have held talks with former Swansea loanee Cyrus Christie, according to The Athletic.
The Republic of Ireland international impressed in the second half of the 2021/22 campaign after joining the Swans from Fulham. He has since been released by the Cottagers and is now a free agent ahead of the new season.
Following the final day loss to Queens Park Rangers in May, Russell Martin admitted he wanted to re-sign Christie on a permanent deal. However, it was always felt that a second swoop for the 29-year-old was unlikely.
And it is now being reported that Watford are exploring the option of taking the versatile defender to Vicarage Road following their relegation from the Premier League, although Villarreal's Mario Gaspar is reported to be the Hornets' prime target. Christie featured 23 times for Swansea and scored three goals.
Millers tipped for drop
Swansea's first opponents of the season Rotherham United are the favourites to be relegated from the Championship this season.
The Millers returned to the second tier courtesy of finishing second in League One last term. They host Russell Martin's men at the New York Stadium on July 30, but they have already been written of by bookmakers.
Betfair have Paul Warne's men as the 6/4 favourites to go down this term, and they are closely followed by Birmingham City and Reading. As for the promotion race, the same betting firm has Norwich City as the 6/4 favourites to return to the Premier League.
The Swans are are 11/2 to go up in Martin's second campaign at the club. Betfair spokesperson Sam Rosbottom said: “With the Championship season kicking off in a week, Norwich are the 6/4 favourites to win a third successive promotion from the second tier, with Watford 17/10.
"West Brom are 11/4 to go up, while Vincent Kompany’s Burnley, who kick off the Championship season against Huddersfield next Friday, are 3/1. Looking at who could go down, Rotherham are the 6/4 frontrunners, with Birmingham and Reading both 15/8.”
WIN: Your chance to win the new 2022/2023 Swansea City home shirt
Bony training with Newport
Wilfried Bony has returned to Newport County to train with the Exiles this summer.
The former Swansea striker - who still has a home in south Wales - joined NEC Nijmegen on a short-term deal earlier this year but was released by the Dutch outfit following the conclusion of the 2021/22 campaign. It means he is now a free agent, and it's understood the 33-year-old still has hopes of finding a new club.
And he is currently training with League Two side Newport once again having regularly used their facilities since his return to the United Kingdom following his spells with Al-Arabi and Al-Ittihad. Bony scored 38 goals in 95 appearances across his two spells with the Swans.
New signing helps out local kids
Wasiri Williams linked up with the Swansea City AFC Foundation at their Townhill Premier League Kicks session this week.
The defender joined the Swans on an initial one-year deal in June, although the club hold the option to extend his contract by an additional 12 months. And ahead of the new campaign, the 22-year-old helped young children paint local changing facilities as part of the initiative.
Defender Williams said: "It was great meeting the staff involved with the Foundation, seeing the impact they have on making the community a safe, fun and family-like environment for young people.
"I had a fun evening speaking to the young people and coaches, it's great to see them getting involved with the community and I will definitely be back.”
READ NEXT:
