These are your Swansea City headlines on Friday, June 10.
Swans 'confident' of landing Gooch
Swansea are 'confident' of outbidding Sunderland to land American wideman Lynden Gooch this summer. WalesOnline reported on Thursday night that Swansea have interest in the 26-year-old, who is out of contract at the Stadium of Light.
The story has moved on since, with reports in the north east stating that "formal talks" are set to take place between Swansea and Gooch's representatives in the next few days. Preston have also been linked with the versatile player.
The Northern Echo add Sunderland have offered him fresh terms. Swansea are in need of width this summer, with Cyrus Christie and Hannes Wolf ending their loan stints in SA1. Russell Martin would like to bring both back to south Wales but it is clear other targets are now on his radar.
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Speaking about his future following Sunderland's win over Wycombe Wanderers under the Wembley last month, Gooch said: "Obviously I've played in the Premier League but staying all this time and trying to get the club back to a higher level, finally, finally we've done it.
"If it is my last game then you couldn't ask for a better way to go out. I'll see what happens. I'll sit down with the gaffer on Tuesday and we'll see what happens. No matter where I end up, I'm a Sunderland fan for life. I've been a part of the club for 16 years and this is the best day of my career."
McAtee blow for Swans
The Sun report Manchester City plan to use Swansea target James McAtee as bait in a bid to lure Brighton's Marc Cucurella.
McAtee has been a longstanding target for Martin, who tried to sign the 19-year-old last January to fill Swansea's creative void. City, according to national reports, want the highly impressive Cucurella at the Etihad for next season and are prepared to let the Seagulls take McAtee on loan for the 2022/23 campaign to sweeten the deal.
Brighton will look for around £40million for the 23-year-old Spaniard, who has been a hit since arriving from Getafe. Graham Potter has held interest in McAtee for sometime and could well be open to such a move.
It would be a blow to Martin, who has coveted McAtee for months. To get the latest Swansea transfer news sent to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter here.
Duo tipped success following loan spells
Damien Duff has tipped Lewis Webb for a bright future following his return to Swansea from Shelbourne.
Goalkeeper Webb joined the Irish outfit on loan earlier this year but had his time with the club short this week. He is now set to link-up with Martin's senior squad when their pre-season campaign begins following the international break, with Webb currently on duty with Wales Under-21s.
And former Republic of Ireland star Duff - who is the current manager of Shelbourne - lavished praise on Webb following his short time with the Dublin outfit. “I would like to thank Lewis for the last five months," he said.
"He is a top professional with big potential and I have no doubt he will go on to have a very successful career. Myself, the staff and the players would like to wish him all the very best for the future.”
Writing about his exit on Twitter, Webb commented: "I just want to take the time to say thank to the staff, players and fans of @shelsfc. I’ve really enjoyed my time in Dublin and met some great people along the way. I’d like to wish the club and the boys all the best for the rest of the season."
It comes as Swansea also recalled Dan Williams from the League of Ireland Premier Division. The midfielder was set to spend the duration of the 2022 campaign with Dundalk but returned to south Wales before the conclusion of the 2021/22 Championship season after suffering an ankle injury.
He has continued to receive treatment in Swansea and officially had his loan with Dundalk cut short this week. "It’s unfortunate because Dan was doing really well, particularly in that game [2-1 win over Sligo Rovers on April 15] where he had to come off,” said Dundalk FC head coach Stephen O’Donnell.
“It looked really innocuous but the longevity of the injury means that Swansea City wanted him back there for pre-season. Dan added a lot to us. He was a great team-mate and a great person and it’s a pity the way it happened. I’m sure he’ll go back and be all the better for his experience of playing men’s football, week-in, week-out.
“We were delighted to have him here and we wish him nothing but the best in his journey at Swansea City. We will be tracking his progress and, hopefully, we will see him in their first team soon.”
Midfielder Williams said: “It’s really unfortunate that my loan has come to an early end. Honestly, I’m gutted, but I’ll be supporting the boys and the club from afar for the rest of the season.
“From the very first day, when I met the players and staff, everyone was very welcoming. It was my first loan move and it’s never easy going into a new club but I don’t think anyone could have made it any easier for me.
“I really enjoyed living in town and playing in front of the fans. Friday nights at Oriel are something special and the fans made every game feel like a really big one.”
New shirt sponsor confirmed
Swansea have announced Westacres as the club's front-of-home-shirt partner for the 2022/23 campaign.
The Welsh residential property development company have long had an association with the Swans but will now have their logo emblazoned on the front of the club's home shirt throughout what will be Martin's second season at the club. It comes after the Swans previously were sponsored by Swansea University.
The club have also confirmed they will carry different sponsors across the front of its home and away shirts in a bid to further increase the exposure of its local partners.
Rebecca Edwards-Symmons, the club's head of commercial, said: “The club is delighted that Westacres will now sit on the front of our home shirt for the upcoming campaign. Westacres continue to grow exponentially year on year, and to have a prestigious Swansea business at the forefront of our club is fantastic.
"They have been a partner of the football club for two seasons. We have much very enjoyed working with them, and we are excited about the future."
As part of the agreement, it has been confirmed that Westacres will also continue as the Swans' North Stand and South Stand sponsors.
