These are your Swansea City headlines on Monday, May 30.
Tucker too good for us - Harris
Gillingham boss Neil Harris says reported Swansea target Jack Tucker is too good for League Two.
Reports emerged over the weekend linking Russell Martin's men with the young defender, who is out of contract with the Gills. Local media report the Kent side would be entitled to compensation should the 22-year-old leave for another British side, as he is under 24 and has been offered new terms.
Harris said earlier this month: “We made him a (contract) offer because we want to keep our compensation rights but I would like to keep him because he is a great player and a good character but we have to be realistic and say ‘is Jack Tucker better than League 2?’ In my opinion he is.”
He added: “With Jack, I would like to keep him, he has come through our academy and we would like to keep our homegrown players in and around our first-team group. We will have to see what unfolds but I don’t expect Jack to be here next season, if I am honest.”
Routledge pays tribute to Cooper
Wayne Routledge has praised the efforts of former Swansea boss Steve Cooper whose Nottingham Forest side achieved Premier League promotion at the weekend.
Swans legend Routledge, who hung up his boots last year, was a trusty lieutenant of Cooper's during his time in south Wales, with the head coach valuing the club stalwart highly.
"That is some season," Routledge wrote over the course of two Instagram stories. "To take a club from the floor to promotion takes a special group and leaders who will sacrifice their beliefs to establish a culture that works. Congrats to Forest and this man."
Cooper spoke with emotion after the 1-0 win over Huddersfield Town.
"I love being at this football club. It isn't about me, but it has changed my life professionally anyway," he said.
"My family are here and the players' families are here. The supporters are here and Stuart Pearce will tell you, this football club is about belonging of a city. It comes together on a matchday. We've brought Nottingham to Wembley, we've took over the place and here we are in the Premier League."
Cooper in for Gibbs-White
Meanwhile, Forest are now being linked with a move for former Swansea loan man Morgan Gibbs-White.
Cooper was the man who brought Gibbs-White to south Wales during his time in south Wales, but injury curtailed his impact at the Swansea.com Stadium. Parent clubs Wolves recalled him, leaving Swansea short in the No.10 position.
Gibbs-White enjoyed a stellar season with Sheffield United last term and he is now the subject of £20million interest from both Forest and Southampton.
Forest are set to be linked with a whole host of players now they are back in the Premier League, but a move for Gibbs-White, who missed a penalty in the Blades' play-off semi-final defeat to the Reds, would be a shrewd one.
Gibbs-White's future could play some part in Swansea's transfer business this summer.
Should the Saints firm up their interest in the Wolves man, it would help Swansea in their pursuit of Manchester City's James McAtee, who is also on Ralph Hasenhuttl's radar.
The Sun reported on Sunday that the St Mary's outfit will pay up to £20million for Gibbs-White, should he be available.
Birch's warning to fans
EFL chairman and former Swansea chief Trevor Birch has warned football supporters up and down the land that pitch invasions cannot continue.
Recent events have seen fans swarm pitches at the end of matches, bringing with them a serious threat to the safety of players, staff and officials.
Birch, in an open letter to fans, made it clear it can't go on.
"The pitch incursions we have all seen cannot continue," he said. "Let’s be crystal clear: It is a criminal offence to enter the field of play. Any supporter doing so risks being arrested and receiving a Club ban, a Football Banning Order, and a criminal record. The penalties for entering the pitch can also have significant consequences on people’s lives away from football, be that from an educational or employment perspective. Not only could you lose the privilege of watching your team, but you could jeopardise an academic future or lose your job and suffer financial difficulties.
"Of course, the intentions of most supporters choosing to enter the pitch area in recent weeks have often been celebratory, but our priority must be to protect players, managers, and match officials. Everybody should be able to work without the fear of being attacked or confronted in the same way that anyone attending a football match would expect at their own place of employment.
"While some suggest that pitch invasions are harmless in the main, the reality is that they are facilitating unacceptable behaviour by providing cover for the reckless few seeking to cause harm."
