These are your Swansea City headlines on Wednesday, May 25.
Benda unlikely to join Posh
Peterborough United's director of football Barry Fry believes his side are unlikely to sign Steven Benda from Swansea, despite claiming the goalkeeper is keen to return to the club.
Benda spent the second half of the 2021/22 campaign on loan with the Posh after falling behind Ben Hamer and Andy Fisher in the pecking order at Swansea. He made 11 appearances for Grant McCann's outfit before having his season cut short due to injury.
WalesOnline revealed earlier this month that the Swans were willing to offload Benda ( you can read the full story here ) while they are keen to bring in two goalkeepers following the exits of Hamer, Josh Gould, Jamie Searle and Nico Defreitas-Hansen - with sources suggesting for some time that Benda was eager to head back to Peterborough.
But Fry has said the Posh will now pursue other targets after refusing to meet Swansea's valuation of £1m for Benda - who still has two years left to run on his contract at SA1.
“I spoke to Steven as he is still in Peterborough,” Fry said, as quoted by the Peterborough Telegraph. “He would love to join us, but we are not getting anywhere with Swansea. They wanted £1m and there’s no way we are paying that for a goalkeeper. Russell Martin then suggested an exchange of two of his players, including Steven, for one of ours, but that is not going to happen. Steven’s wages would also be a problem for us.
"I’d say it’s unlikely to happen now and we will look elsewhere." The report cites Nathanael Ogbeta - who was a Peterborough target before joining Swansea from Shrewsbury Town in January - as the player Swansea were willing to include as part of the swap deal mentioned by Fry.
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Dobbie retires
Former Swansea striker Stephen Dobbie has announced his retirement from football.
The Scottish forward joined the Swans from Queen of the South in 2009 and played a pivotal role in the club's promotion into the Premier League. Dobbie netted 11 goals - one of which came in the Championship play-off final victory over Reading at Wembley - as Brendan Rodgers' side reached the top-flight in 2010/11.
Following two loan spells with Blackpool, Dobbie left Swansea to join Brighton in 2012 having bagged 14 goals in 67 appearances for the Swans. He was most recently with AFC Fylde who finished third in the National League North last term.
In a statement posted on social media by his wife Susanna, the frontman confirmed he is now set to continue to coach having excelled in leading Fylde's youth side.
“At the ripe old age of 39 and after 23 years of professional football, the time has finally come to hang up my boots and pursue a career in coaching," he wrote. “Football is deep rooted in my heart and my passion for the beautiful game will never fade.
“I have realised from managing my U18s over this last season at AFC Fylde that my love for playing on the pitch is equally matched to managing from the sidelines.
“My passion is now to lead. My drive and determination that allowed me to succeed in my playing career now fuels me from the dugout. Watching my U18s become the most successful team in the academy’s history by winning three cup finals has been amazing and I finally feel ready to leave my playing days behind me for coaching.”
Dobbie - who also played for the likes of Hibernian, Crystal Palace and Bolton Wanderers during his lengthy career - paid a special tribute to Swansea and ex-boss Rodgers after hanging up his boots.
"From Scotland’s League Two all the way to the English Premier League, I grafted through nearly every level of the game," he added.
“I made strong relationships with all the clubs that I have played at, however in particular Queen of the South, Swansea City and Blackpool deserve special mentions and will forever hold very special places in my heart.
“The staff and fans from each club really welcomed me and my family with open arms and for that I will always be forever grateful. These clubs didn’t feel like an ‘employer’, but like a family and made a huge impact on my playing career and also my life outside of football.
"I am humbled to have played with so many amazing players and also honoured to have played under world class managers like Brendan Rodgers and Ian Holloway."
He signed off the statement with the message: "See you all in the next chapter! Thanks, Dobs."
Read more: Swansea City contracts and mass exodus reveals true scale of Russell Martin's massive rebuild
Pundit tips Cooper for manager award
Ian Holloway says former Swansea boss Steve Cooper should win the Manager of the Season award if he can guide Nottingham Forest into the Premier League.
The City Ground outfit were rooted to the foot of the Championship table when Cooper took charge of the club in September. But he has transformed their fortunes and led them into this weekend's Championship play-off final against Huddersfield Town at Wembley.
It is the third season running in which the Welsh coach has been involved in the play-offs having twice seen his Swansea side beaten by Brentford.
“For me the Manager of the Season would be Steve Cooper if he wins this play-off," he told Talksport. "When he took over Nottingham Forest, my mate Chris Hughton wasn't having a good time, and I know Chris is brilliant.
“What this man has done with Nottingham Forest, who for years were struggling, they want to get somewhere, there's expectation. He would be the man, but he hasn't done it yet."
Obafemi returns to Irish set-up
Michael Obafemi has been included in Republic of Ireland's squad for their upcoming Nations League matches.
The striker was omitted from Stephen Kenny's side in March due to concerns over his injury record. You can read the full story on that here. However, he has been named in the 27-man Irish squad for their four fixtures in June.
Obafemi's Swansea team mate Ryan Manning also features while Cyrus Christie - who spent the second-half of last term on loan in south Wales - is among those involved. Obafemi scored just one goal in his first 14 appearances for Swansea but netted 11 times in 2022.
Republic of Ireland face Ukraine twice next month while they also take on Armenia and Scotland.
Quartet earn Wales U18 call-ups
Cameron Congreve is among four Swansea youth stars to be called up to the Wales Under-18s squad.
The young Dragons have announced a 22-man party for their upcoming friendly tournament in Croatia, with Congreve among the stars included. The 18-year-old made his senior debut for Swansea against Blackpool in March while he was handed his first start at Nottingham Forest on the penultimate day of the 2021/22 season.
He is joined in the squad by Joel Cotterill, Ben Lloyd and Kai Ludvigsen. Cotterill has been listed among the substitutes under Russell Martin while Lloyd scored just a minute into his senior debut in a friendly win at Forest Green Rovers last summer.
Ludvigsen's contract with the club is set to expire next month, although he has been offered fresh terms by the Swans. Wales Under-18s face Croatia on June 7, England on June 10 and Austria on June 13.
