It has been widely reported this week that Swansea City centre-back Nathan Wood is attracting interest from several premier league clubs with acclaimed sports journalist going as far as to tweet that Arsenal and Tottenham are monitoring the 20-year-old Englishman.
Despite Russell Martin's public appeals asking for the Swans hierarchy to offer Wood a new contract, if Arsenal, Tottenham or any other premier league clubs come in with a serious offer for the England U21 International, it is highly likely that the Swansea City ownership will decide to sell the player regardless on the length remaining on Wood's contract. The situation is not too dissimilar to Tottenham's pursuit for Joe Rodon which ultimately proved to be somewhat of a failed transfer.
During the course of the season, Nathan Wood has developed from being a relatively unknown youngster having only made 1 starting appearance for Middlesbrough during the 21/22 season into one of the first names on the timesheet in South Wales.
Tall, athletic and composed on the ball, Nathan Wood's departure would be a bitter pill to swallow for everyone associated with Swansea City, whilst also presenting yet another challenge for Swansea's massively important summer transfer window plans.
However, if swansea can hold out for a strong compensation package and are willing to reinvest into the squad, there are replacements out there who could fill the void and potentially make that push up the table which Martin & Co preach has only been one or two components away even this season.
How does an aggressive, composed 22-year-old former player of the season with over 30 appearances in the championship and over 30 further 1st tier appearances (4 of which were in the Premier League) Netherlands under-21 international sound? He sounds like Van Hecke of a player to me!
Brighton centre-back Jan Paul Van Hecke is one such player and his contract is due to expire at the end of this current season.
Van Hecke is coming off a difficult season with Brighton following the death of his father last year where he has openly discussed the mental struggles he had had to endure away from his native Netherlands. Van Hecke had showed glimpses of his potential whilst at Blackburn Rovers where he racked up 32 appearances include an assist and a goal in a 2-0 victory over a Bournemouth Side who were eventually promoted to the Premier League.
Swansea City could provide Van Hecke with the perfect opportunity to rebuild and get his career back on track.
Who can Swansea City not afford to sell in the upcoming transfer window?
- Nathan Wood
- Joel Piroe
- Ryan Manning
- Olivier Ntcham