Joel Piroe admits he is honoured to attract Premier League interest but says he is happy to remain at Swansea City.
The Dutchman was monitored by numerous clubs including Leicester City and Watford during the summer while the Swans were approached by Leeds United regarding their star striker on transfer deadline day.
However, that interest from Jesse Marsch's side was swiftly rebuffed, and Piroe - who has scored in his last two appearances for the Swans - once again thanked the Jack Army for the way they have treated him during a turbulent August.
"Of course it’s an honour to be seen by Premier League clubs but I’m really happy with my development here and I’m happy to still be here," explained the Dutchman.
"As I said last season, you do not know what the future holds. I think it is good that the window has closed and we have kept a good squad to work with.
"I am happy to be here, I have seen and read a lot of things, but I am really happy to play here because this club and the fans have given me a lot of chances to show what I can do. I am really thankful for that. For sure, I want to help the club in any way I can."
Piroe's strike partner Michael Obafemi found himself in a similar position on deadline day as he was the subject of offers from Championship rivals Burnley. Swansea rejected three bids from the Clarets for the Republic of Ireland international who will now, like Piroe, remain in south Wales until January at the very least.
The pair netted 36 goals between them last season, the highest total between Swansea's two top scorers from a campaign combined since Scott Sinclair (27) and Darren Pratley (12) got 39 between them during the 2010/11 promotion season.
Piroe could not hide his delight with the club's determination to keep hold of Obafemi. "I think Michael is in a good place here at this club, I think it’s good for him that he’s stayed and it’s good for the team that he is still here," he explained. "He’s got a real personality – he’s one of a kind. The way he is, nice and free, he’s a really good person."
Russell Martin has previously admitted he did not have high hopes for Piroe following his early conversations with the forward. But after a tricky start, the 23-year-old wasted no time in settling in to his new surroundings following his switch from PSV Eindhoven and bagged 24 goals in all competitions in his debut campaign at the Swansea.com Stadium.
"That's true, it was a difficult situation for myself with the change of manager," he said. "But I just want to give it my all and show my best for the team and help however I can."
Following a testing summer and opening month of the 2022/23 campaign, Piroe admits his sole focus is now on scoring as many goals as possible and helping Swansea to climb up the table, and he remains confident that Martin's men can challenge for promotion this term.
"Yes, I believe so," he said when asked if a top six is still achievable. "It's early on in the season, where we are now is much better than it was last season. Even though we have had some unfortunate results, I think we can be up there."
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