Here's your round-up of all the latest Swansea City news for Thursday, June 29.
Martin eyeing four Swans recruits
Russell Martin is reportedly eyeing four Swansea City players to take with him to Southampton this summer.
According to The Sun, Martin is interested in defensive duo Ben Cabango and Nathan Wood, although it seems likely he will only move for one of them, as he bids to stamp his mark at St Mary's.
Striker Joel Piroe is another player on the radar, having netted 19 goals for Swansea last season, although it's understood Leicester City and an unnamed Serie A side are also showing serious interest.
Nottingham Forest and Everton are also believed to have made enquiries into the Dutchman's availability.
Left-back Ryan Manning is another potential target after becoming a free agent this summer, although the Saints will likely need to move quickly to get a deal done.
Goldie departs for Southampton
Andy Goldie has left his post as academy manager at Swansea City to join Southampton.
The 38-year-old departs after joining the club last summer, having previously impressed in a similar post at Dundee United.
In a statement, the Swans said: "Swansea City can confirm Andy Goldie will be leaving his position as academy manager.
"Goldie will vacate his post on July 2, and Ryan Davies will take on the role of academy manager until further notice.
"The club would like to thank Andy for his work during his time at the club and wish him well for the future."
Duff makes good impression as Allen targets big season
Joe Allen is determined to make a big impact at Swansea City under new boss Michael Duff, after a patchy start to his second stint with the Swans.
The 33-year-old returned to his boyhood club last summer, but his pre-season was frustratingly disrupted by injury, and the 2022-23 season itself would follow a similar pattern.
Allen is away with the rest of the squad at a warm weather training camp in Spain, and admits he's excited to get a full pre-season behind him.
“I think a lot of people say that it can be difficult if you miss pre-season and you do find you’re chasing a little bit, it was certainly a patchy season for me, which is the way it goes sometimes,” he said.
“I’m hopeful that the good break in the summer to get over any issues will be a big help and then obviously we’ve got a few weeks of important work leading up to the start of the season, so I’m hopeful that that will hold me in really good stead for the full season.
“I want to offer more to the team and help the team more this season.."
The former Wales international has also been impressed by new manager Michael Duff, who's used the past week to get to know the squad.
“The lads have taken to the new manager really well," he added. This has been our first time doing football work, so we got a taste of it, we enjoyed the sessions, and we’re looking forward to things.
“Managers don’t tend to come in and throw too much at you too early. I’m sure he’ll get more of his ideas across as pre-season goes on. We’ve got a few weeks to get all of that stuff in, understand how things will work this season, what we’ll be looking for going into the first fixture.”
Martin explains why he made Southampton move
Russell Martin says Southampton's vision for the future was a key part in convincing him to make the move to St Mary's this summer.
Speaking on his first day at Staplewood, the 37-year-old former Swansea boss also revealed that a return to the Premier League is at the heart of his brief in the Saints hot-seat.
“It’s probably taken a bit longer than anyone would’ve hoped or expected, but I’m just really, really pleased to be here, really grateful that it’s all been done, and really excited to get started properly,” he said. “I’m looking forward to getting to work.
“When I met Jason [Wilcox, Southampton FC Director of Football], Rasmus [Ankersen, CEO of Sport Republic], Henrik [Kraft, Southampton FC Chairman] and Dragan [Šolak, Chairman of Sport Republic], how they spoke about the club, how they spoke about the last 18 months and what had gone on, how much they’d learned from that, the direction they now want to go in terms of the game model and the style of play, and obviously Jason being a huge part of that, coming from Man City.
“A lot of conversations, it was a really thorough process, a lot of hours spent together chatting about football, about developing young people, developing players, about developing something on the pitch that connects everyone – connects the supporters, connects the players, the staff here, and gives everyone something to be proud of; something they look at on the pitch and they look forward to going to games, they feel excited about what they’re going to see on the pitch.”
"Ultimately we’re here to win. We feel it gives us the best chance to win a lot and get to the Premier League together, because that will be the best thing, in a way of playing that not just gets us to the Premier League, but hopefully keeps us there as well."
