Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Mathew Davies

Swansea City transfer news as Piroe to Leicester City takes fresh twist and conflicting reports emerge over £4m bid

These are your Swansea City headlines on Wednesday, June 28.

Ipswich have £4m bid rejected

We'll start with some conflicting reports over Ellis Simms, a striker who the Daily Mail have credited Swansea as having interest in.

Other clubs are also said to be in the mix, including Ipswich Town, Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Stoke City, and Football Insider report the Tractor Boys have had a £4million offer for the Everton forward rejected.

However, local reports from East Anglia state no such offer has been made. East Anglian Daily Times reporter Stuart Watson wrote on Twitter: "Understand reports that #itfc have had a £4m bid for Everton striker Ellis Simms rejected to be incorrect.

READ MORE: Russell Martin holds leaving party with whole Swansea City squad before Southampton exit

"One of several strikers Ipswich are interested in and have made enquiries about.

"Football world knows Ipswich have money. Club won’t pay over odds though."

If the price tag remains at £4miillion, Swansea are unlikely to be in the conversation.

Foxes 'show strong interest' in Piroe

Leicester City are reportedly showing "strong interest" in Joel Piroe - and Dutch reports now state the Foxes have lodged an offer for him.

The Telegraph reported on Wednesday morning that the Swansea striker is one of four names the Championship club are looking at this summer.

Tottenham's Harry Winks, Wolves centre-back Conor Coady and Manchester City keeper Zack Steffen are all on the east Midlands side's wanted list, along with Piroe, who they have "strong interest in".

Piroe has previously said he has been flattered by interest in him.

"Whether I will stay in Swansea for another year? There is a lot of speculation, but it remains to be seen whether something concrete will happen," he told Eindhovens Dagblad last month.

"It is nice to hear that clubs are interested. I mainly look at where I can play a lot and continue to take steps as a football player."

Now, in a development from this morning, reports in the Netherlands state an offer has been made for the 23-year-old, with more clubs interested too.

Ogbene signs for Luton

Swansea's number-one January transfer window target Chiedozie Ogbene has signed for Premier League new boys Luton Town.

The Republic of Ireland winger is a free agent this summer after his contract with Rotherham United expired. Although the Millers were keen for him to remain in Yorkshire, he's now moved south to join the Hatters.

It's likely Swansea's interest died with the departure of Russell Martin from south Wales, with Michael Duff now in charge. At least one forward will be needed in SA1 this window, though.

It sounds like top-flight football was the pull for the 26-year-old. Ogbene said: “I’m delighted to be here as a Premier League player, because of my journey and where I’ve been in the last five-and-a-half years, from Limerick FC and the League of Ireland to Luton Town FC in the Premier League. My former coach said it would be one in 200,000 – I guess I’m that one!

“My journey is special to me. I come from Rotherham United, who I spent four seasons with and where I achieved some great things with some great people. But to be considered to be a Luton Town player with an opportunity to feature in the Premier League was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.”

Thornton pens leaving message

Recently departed goalkeeping coach Dean Thornton has thanked fans, players and staff for making him feel so welcome during his time at the club.

Swansea confirmed on Tuesday that Thorton, alongside assistant head coach Matt Gill, first-team performance analyst Ben Parker and head of rehabilitation Rhys Owen would be leaving south Wales to join Russell Martin in Southampton.

Thornton says he's made friends for life in the area and thanked everyone for their support, especially when his father passed away last year.

"Thank you Swansea City," he posted on Twitter. "Where to start? Can honestly say what a place to live in and what a proper community feels like I've never had that before.

"I really enjoyed my time at the club and have made friends for life at the club and away from the club.

"Thank you for making me and my family feel so welcomed and especially the love and support I received after losing my dad.

"I'm very grateful to all the players and staff that I got to work with during my time at the club was an absolute pleasure.

"A big thank you to Ben Cabango for his 99th minute winner against Cardiff, by far the best day and night I've had in my coaching career.

"No-one can take the double 'doube' away from that group of players and staff a pleasure to have a small part in it. To the people who have dropped me a message today I will reply to you again thank you for your support.

"I wish the players, staff and new staff all the best for the season ahead I look forward to coming back in January to SA1. To the fans get behind them like you always do you guys are really one of a kind.

"I will miss the place and will always look out for the club's results. I wish the club every success for the future. Once a Jack always a Jack. YJB. Deano."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.