
Tonight's Swansea City transfer news as club agree record deal for Lewis O'Brien
The latest news from the Swansea.com Stadium
Lewis O'Brien of Nottingham Forest
(Image:)
Here's your round-up of all the latest Swansea City news for Sunday, July 6.
Wrexham 'agree deal' for O'Brien
Wrexham have reportedly agreed a club-record fee for midfielder Lewis O'Brien.
However, it's claimed the Dragons are struggling to meet the Nottingham Forest man's wage demands. Sign up to our Swansea City newsletter here.
According to The Sun, Ryan Reynolds and co have lodged a £5m bid for O'Brien, with Forest seemingly keen on dropping their valuation of the player, which was understood to have previously been around £8m, in order to get an exit done.
However, while the move would break Wrexham's transfer record, the club are reportedly struggling to meet O'Bren's wage demands.
As such, the same report claims the move to north Wales is now in doubt, although he is unlikely to have a shortage of options this summer.
Article continues below
WalesOnline understands the Swans are still be keeping a close eye on developments, despite their recent capture of midfielder Ethan Galbraith, although the chances of them putting together an acceptable package at this point seem slim.
Preston North End, Birmingham City and Southampton have also shown an interest in the midfielder this summer, along with Spanish giants Valencia.
Hull City had previously lodged a bid similar to that of the Dragons, but their transfer embargo appears to have scuppered hopes of a move to Humberside.
Boss makes Galbraith claim
Leyton Orient boss Richie Wellens has revealed that Ethan Galbraith turned down the advances of Huddersfield Town to join swansea-city-fc>Swansea City this summer.
The Northern Irishman was confirmed as a Swans player on Friday evening, having previously been a figure of long-term interest in SA1.
He was the subject of a failed deadline day bid back in January, with Orient batting away a bid understood to be around £750,000.
Swansea appeared to cool their interest earlier in the summer, but Galbraith was still a man in demand, with both Huddersfield and Charlton Athletic making offers.
However, as revealed by WalesOnline, Swansea reignited their interest in the 24-year-old and Wellens says a move to south Wales was always going to be the first choice for the midfielder, whom he's backed to go all the way to the Premier League.
"He had a few clubs interested and I gave him the total choice of what he wanted to do," Wellens said.
"Huddersfield came in, he didn't want to play in League One - he wanted to challenge himself in the Championship.
"Charlton came in, he didn't want to go to Charlton because he didn't feel he fitted into their style of football.
"Swansea came in, he feels he fits into their style of football. He's made his decision and we wish him all the best. He gets a move to play at a level he deserves to play at. I think ultimately he'll end up in the Premier League."
Prats backs Galbraith to shine
Swansea City legend Darren Pratley says the Jack Army are going to fall in love with Ethan Galbraith following the midfielder's move from East London.
Pratley, who made 199 Swansea appearances between 2006 and 2011, played with Galbraith at Orient over the last two seasons.
'I think Ethan will be loved down there by the Jack Army,' he said.
'He is a brilliant player. He is versatile, he can play midfield or he can play right-back but push up into those midfield areas.
'He is very good technically, but he is also tenacious and will give his all.
'He is an international player, one of the best players I have ever played with, to be honest, even though I have only played with him these last couple of years.
'I am sure he will be great for Swansea, I am looking forward to seeing him play for a distance.
'I can't believe he has left because he doesn't want to be coached by me! But, in all seriousness, Swansea fans have got a great player there, and I know they will take him in and look after him.
'I wish him good luck as a Jack.'
Pratley recently announced his retirement as a player, a move that will see him move into coaching at Brisbane Road, and Galbraith himself revealed he picked the 40-year-old's brains before making the move to the Swansea.com Stadium.
'I spoke to Darren Pratley, who is an absolute club legend,' Galbraith said.
'I spoke to Prats quite a bit over the last month and he had nothing but good things to say and he helped me make the decision as well.
'When you go to a new club you are always trying to find out bits and pieces but he was very positive.' Sign up to the Swansea City WhatsApp service to get breaking news and top stories sent to your phone.
Youngster on trial at Cheltenham
Swansea City attacking midfielder Ben Lloyd enjoyed a run out for Cheltenham Town on Friday night.
The 20-year-old was one of four trialists involved in a pre-season friendly victory over Bishop's Cleeve, with Town running 4-1 winners on the night.
Article continues below
Lloyd is under contract at Swansea until next summer and his appearance is likely to be assessment ahead of a proposed loan move at the League Two club.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Viktor Gyokeres set the world alight at Sporting Lisbon after proving to be Brighton's biggest ever mistake... why Arsenal are throwing £70m at Europe's hottest striker
When Swansea signed a forward on loan in October 2020, it did not take long for excitement among players and fans to turn to doubt and confusion. If the ball was played to him, too often he would fail to retain it. Given the chance to find a team-mate, he would regularly pick out a member of the opposition instead. Swans players were soon exchanging concerned glances. 'Who is this guy?' was the general gist.


Scottish Sun
7 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Martin Zubimendi is chess prodigy who broke English hearts and marks total transformation of Arsenal's transfer policy
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AFTER being a chess sensation at 11, Martin Zubimendi knows the importance of thinking one step ahead at all times. No doubt then, the Spanish midfielder would have been impressed by Arsenal's patient and obsessive approach to signing him from Real Sociedad for £51million — a complex transfer 12 months in the making. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 New Arsenal signing Martin Zubimendi is ready to rip up the Premier League Credit: Getty 4 The Spaniard has joined in a £51million deal from Real Sociedad Credit: Getty 4 Zubimendi was a child chess champion and will bring a new dynamic to the team Zubimendi, 26, completed his Emirates switch on a five-year deal — the Gunners' second arrival of the summer after spending £5m on Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. Boss Mikel Arteta finally has his No 6 — an aggressive, snarling, ball-winning, midfield dictator who ruthlessly broke English hearts with an influential display in the final of Euro 2024. Away from the pitch, he is quiet, shy, humble and unassuming but in the Spanish province of Gipuzkoa in 2011, he wiped the floor with rivals in an Under-12 chess championship triumph. Zubimendi explained: 'It's a game that requires you to have everything under control. In both sports, the midfield is crucial because it defines the style of play.' READ MORE IN FOOTBALL Gunn with the wind Chelsea 'interested in Arsenal wonderkid Nwaneri' amid contract talks Despite Liverpool and Real Madrid threatening to derail the move, it was a transfer Arsenal always had under control. Last summer, Arteta wanted to raid Sociedad for both Zubimendi AND Mikel Merino, sending then sporting director Edu to Marbella to thrash out the ambitious plan. The Spanish club did not want to lose both, instead only letting Merino join in a £32m deal. So Arsenal waited a year before activating his £51m release clause. BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS But Zubimendi could also have joined Arne Slot's Reds a year ago. The midfielder isolated himself at home to consult his family. Man City vs Arsenal fan battle - 'QPR let Aguero score PL winner' | Stoppage Time 4 Join SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plus in-depth coverage and exclusives from The Emirates Eventually, Zubimendi rejected Liverpool after being persuaded to remain at his beloved Sociedad by coach Imanol Alguacil and sporting director Roberto Olabe. Fast forward a year and the result was different as Arteta convinced his fellow Basque to make London his new home. Arteta's presentations are well known, leaving most players and agents astounded by the level of detail and care put into them. SunSport understands that Arteta and Zubimendi had an instant connection, sold on the project and vision at the Emirates. Madrid made a late play for Zubimendi in June with new manager Xabi Alonso a big fan — both are represented by the same agent too — but Arsenal were not concerned. From March, the transfer had been fully signed off, allowing Arsenal to press on with other targets for the summer, including a new No 9. The recruitment strategy used by Arsenal and Arteta evaluates players in a tier system, with 'Tier One' meeting all parameters to improve the squad and take the team to the next level. In short, 'world class'. SunSport understands that Zubimendi is the ultimate 'Tier One' signing, one that Arsenal took their time over before making checkmate.


Belfast Telegraph
7 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
I'll be back to defend my crown, vows new Northern Ireland Stages Rally king Aaron McLaughlin
The County Donegal man opted to miss a family wedding in the hope of securing the title with a round of the national series to spare — and he delivered with a top-three points-scoring finish. McLaughlin becomes only the second person from south of the border to add his name to the Association of Northern Ireland Car Clubs (ANICC) trophy; Monaghan's Stephen Wright was the first Irishman to achieve the feat back in 2019 after winning a tie-break from Derek McGarrity. McLaughlin was forced to do it the hard way, however, having to recover from a disastrous start at the Loughgall Stages that involved a costly off-road moment in his Volkswagen Polo GTI R5. Fastest times on the next five short, sharp tests through Loughgall Country Park quickly pushed him up the leaderboard, yet despite his speed he was unable to usurp the naturally aspirated Proton Satria Neo of Marty Toner, with the pair separated by less than two seconds at the finish. 'I have never had Championship and Aaron McLaughlin in the one sentence, so the feeling is pretty good — we have never won a title or anything like that before. We are absolutely over the moon,' said McLaughlin, who made a quick exit from Loughgall so he could attend the wedding after party. 'We had a bit of a disaster on the opening stage but we managed to claw our way back up the leaderboard and found ourselves in a huge battle with Marty right until the day's very last stage. 'We gave it everything to try and get back in front of him but we just couldn't make up any more than three seconds a stage each time. Losing 15 on the first one left us pretty far back and making that up here was always going to be a really big ask, but at least we can say we tried. 'It was small margins at the end but I could not have lost to a better man. Marty and the entire team are sound men, so I have no complaints about who the overall win went to,' he continued. 'It would have been nice to win the rally and the Championship on the same day but we have no complaints — we achieved what we set out to do and already the plan is to return next year and defend our title. It is a great competition and, logistically, one-day rallies just work for me.' Armagh's Jason Black was once again in mesmerising form at the controls of his 2.5-litre, rear-wheel-drive Toyota Starlet as he delighted his local supporters by coming home in third place.