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Wales Online
Wales Online
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Ian Mitchelmore

Swansea City transfer headlines as Liam Walsh explains desire to leave and ex-Man Utd and Man City star 'in talks' with DC United

Your Swansea City headlines for Monday, February 7.

Walsh explains desire to leave Swans

Liam Walsh has revealed he was determined to leave Swansea City on loan last month after failing to get regular minutes under Russell Martin this term.

The central midfielder joined the Swans last summer after being released by Bristol City but made just seven appearances in all competitions for the club prior to his loan switch to Hull City.

An injury early on in the campaign halted Walsh's progress at the Swansea.com Stadium while he has also faced stern competition for a place in the starting line-up from two of the club's best performers in Matt Grimes and Flynn Downes this term.

"I tried for a long time through January and December to sort a loan move out because I feel like I've had a lack of minutes this season," Walsh told the Tigers' official website.

"I spoke to the new gaffer [Shota Arveladze] on deadline day. Where he wanted me playing is my natural position, which is a bit more deeper and getting on the ball.

"As soon as I heard that, that's all I've wanted from a manager from this season and last season.

"On Monday, I wasn't quite sure whether I was going to get the loan move done with it being deadline day.

"I didn't know until late on, until around 7pm. I got a call off the gaffer and everything sounded good and positive in what he said. I felt like it was the right move for me in the end."

Walsh's Swansea contract runs through until the summer of 2024.

READ MORE: Russell Martin's Stoke City admission as team news updates emerge on several Swansea City stars

Tevez 'in talks' with DC United

Carlos Tevez's representatives have held talks with D.C. United over the possibility of seeing the Argentine join the American club.

Former Manchester United and Manchester City striker Tevez has been a free agent since leaving Boca Juniors last year.

And The Athletic report representatives of the 38-year-old have held discussions with key figures at the Major League Soccer outfit - who are owned by Swansea's majority shareholders Steve Kaplan and Jason Levien.

D.C. United recently sold former Swan Paul Arriola and are bidding to bolster their attacking options ahead of the 2022 MLS campaign.

Current Derby County boss Wayne Rooney previously had a stint with the club. Tevez is available on a free transfer.

Obafemi wants run after Blackburn win

Michael Obafemi is bidding to embark on a rich vein of scoring form in the second half of the season after netting his first home goal for Swansea against Blackburn.

The striker's first half header earned Russell Martin's men all three points against Rovers to bring an end to his side's three-game sequence without victory.

And the former Southampton forward - whose only other Swansea goal came in a 2-1 loss to Birmingham City - says he is now aiming to repay the faith shown in him by the Jack Army since he made the move to south Wales in the summer.

“It felt amazing to get that first goal in front of the home fans, they have been so welcoming to me and I am so glad I could repay them,” he told the club website.

“It just makes me even hungrier to score more goals, it felt just amazing and I need to get that feeling back on a regular basis now and show what I can do.

“I think 100 per cent that this win is a bit of a statement for us, they have been doing really well and are high up in the table.

“We played a long time with 10 men, but we dug deep and got the win and we can take a lot from that.

“You can see how much it meant to us and to the fans by the celebrations at the final whistle, we need it to be onwards and upwards from here.

“We will go into Tuesday looking to get a good result and start a good run.”

Williams left out of Reds' Champions League squad

Rhys Williams has been left out of Liverpool's squad for the Champions League knockout stages.

The defender spent the opening half of the campaign on loan at Swansea but was restricted to just seven appearances in all competitions for the club.

His lack of regular game time prompted the Reds to recall the 20-year-old in January, although, after failing to secure another loan move away from Anfield, Williams will now spend the remainder of the current season with his parent club.

However, he does not feature in his side's squad for the knockout phase of this season's Champions League - despite UEFA allowing changes to be made after the January transfer window.

Our colleagues at the Liverpool Echo report that the only squad alteration made by Jurgen Klopp sees Luis Diaz replace former Swans transfer target Nat Phillips - who joined Bournemouth last month.

With one place in the 25-man squad still available, Williams could yet be drafted into the Champions League squad at a later date.

Martin's Jack Army admission

Russell Martin admits the togetherness shown by Swansea City players and supporters was vital in securing a 1-0 win over Blackburn.

The Swans played 40 minutes against Tony Mowbray's men with just 10 men following the dismissal of Ryan Manning early on in the second half.

Players including Ben Cabango, Ryan Bennett and Flynn Downes put in monumental defensive shifts as the Swans kept Rovers at bay to claim a vital three points and keep a clean sheet in the process.

"Very proud of our team yesterday @swansofficial," Martin wrote on Instagram.

"Players showed real courage and resilience to dig deep and win the game in tough circumstances.

"The Jack Army were brilliant and helped the team with the atmosphere they created. Real togetherness inside the stadium that we need to build on and enjoy. Onto Tuesday."

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