Here's your round-up of all the latest Swansea City headlines for Monday, July 4.
Latibeaudiere in Swans talks
Swansea City have opened talks over a new deal for Joel Latibeaudiere in a bid to ward off interest from Burnley this summer.
The centre-back has one year left on his remaining deal at the Swansea.com Stadium, and sources have told WalesOnline the Swans have now opened negotiations over extending the 22-year-old's stay.
Clarets boss Vincent Kompany has already enquired into the availability of the Jamaica international, having worked with him during his playing days at Manchester City, where Latibeaudiere came through the ranks before making the move to south Wales.
Sources had previously suggested the newly-relegated outfit were potentially ready to table a bid, believed to be in the region of £500,000, but there's no indication at this stage that any such bid has yet been made.
Latibeaudiere was the subject of interest back in January, with several Championship sides understood to have expressed interest in taking him on loan.
But he soon became more of a regular in Russell Martin's first-team plans, and finished the season strongly, starting the last nine games of the season.
Swans set Downes price
Swansea have reportedly set the price tag for Flynn Downes at £12million.
talkSPORT report that is the fee Swansea will ask for for the 23-year-old, who appears to be edging towards Crystal Palace, with other Premier League interest registered as well. Southampton and Wolves have also shown interest in the former Ipswich Town man.
Swansea are lining up Joe Allen as Downes' replacement - you can read a comparison piece on the two here.
talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook revealed Wolves would like to pursue a deal but don't have the finances: “Flynn Downes at Swansea is somebody that they’re interested in but he will cost £12million," he said.
“I’m not sure they’ve got £12million. I think that really the owners don’t want to put any more of their own money into the project.
“Hence the fact that they’re trying to sell one or two players. I think it’s a tricky summer for Wolves and it could be a difficult season as well.”
Veevers turns pro
Swansea City youngster Charlie Veevers has signed a first professional deal with the club.
The 17-year-old previously spent 10 years on the books at Manchester United, and follows Joel Cotterill and Ben Lloyd in penning a first pro deal, having joined the club as a scholar last summer.
He has agreed terms for the next two years in SA1. “It’s been a dream ever since I was a kid and I started playing football to become a professional footballer,” he said.
“To sign your first professional contract is a massive thing and it’s a great feeling. The hard work starts now and I’ve got to push on even more from here, it’s just the start really.
“I think we finished the season so well last season that we’ve got to make sure that everyone is on it and working together. We’ve got a good team and a good squad and I’m feeling really ambitious about this season and I’m sure that the rest of the boys are.
“We’ve just got to try and put it all together now and start the season where we left off after a strong end to the last one.”
Oxford date confirmed
Swansea City's first round Carabao Cup tie with Oxford United has been confirmed for Tuesday, August 9.
Kick-off against Karl Robinson's side at the Kassam Stadium is at 7.45pm. The club have stated that ticket information will be released in due course.
Martin's case for the old guard
Swansea City head coach Russell Martin has praised the impact of senior trio Kyle Naughton, Matt Grimes and Jamie Paterson on his young side.
The average age of Swansea's squad is currently below 25, which has heightened the importance of the senior heads within Martin's squad.
“To get those three [confirmed for the new season] is really important to us moving forward," Martin said. “What Kyle Naughton did for us – especially in possession – last year was incredible, because of how good he is on the ball.
“Grimesy is just incredible in his use of the ball and his understanding of the game. Defensively what he does for the team, and his positioning. And for Pato, it’s no coincidence that he has come in and it’s suited him so well. The position is perfect for him, but he had to be willing to do certain things that will have been different to previously in his career but he’s been willing to do that.
“Hopefully we can keep building around those guys, support the young men that we have and then we will improve.”
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