Your Swansea City headlines for Thursday, June 23.
Hornets mulling over Piroe swoop
Watford are mulling over a transfer swoop for Swansea striker Joel Piroe.
The Dutchman excelled during his debut season in south Wales, scoring 24 times in 47 appearances after joining from PSV Eindhoven last summer. The Swans need to raise funds to plug a financial hole, with Piroe being the prime candidate to be sold this summer.
And The Athletic state that the Hornets have Piroe on their list of potential targets. The forward is currently with his Swansea team-mates at their Pennyhill Park training camp and will return to south Wales with the rest of the squad at the weekend.
READ MORE: Carabao Cup first round draw in full as Swansea City discover opponents
He still has two years left to run on his contract, although it was recently revealed that his representatives turned down the chance to hold talks with Swansea over an improved deal for their client. Speaking about his future in May, Piroe said: “It’s always nice to hear that you are being seen at the higher level, but on the other hand I am just really happy to play loads of games.
"That’s the most important thing right now. I just want to finish the season very well. We will see what happens after that but I am very happy here.”
New chief appointed
Swansea have appointed Tom Barnden as their new head of performance.
Barnden - who previously had spells with Coventry City, Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton & Hove Albion, Manchester City’s academy and Nottingham Forest - has been in attendance at the Swans' training camp in Bagshot this week.
His role will include linking up with the club's medical and sports science departments to ensure the club as a whole, from the academy to the senior side, are all on the same wavelength.
“I feel I have settled very quickly,” he told the club's official website. “The club from Julian Winter to the board, to Josh Marsh, Russell and staff have been very friendly and welcoming.
“I am delighted to be here and I am looking forward to getting going. Things have been going well this week, we’ve had some good team bonding sessions today. You can tell this is a tight group anyway, but it was enjoyable and a great experience.”
Gooch clinches new Sunderland deal
Lynden Gooch has signed a new contract to remain with Sunderland until the summer of 2024.
The United States of America international's previous deal expires this summer following the conclusion of what was a memorable 2021/22 campaign for Alex Neil's men who secured promotion into the Championship via the League One play-offs.
Swansea were among a clutch of club who were monitoring Gooch's situation, although he has committed his future to the Black Cats by signing a new two-year deal at the Stadium of Light.
Gooch said: “This is important for my family and I because this is our home. I’ve been here for 10 years as a professional and I’m really pleased that we are all going to be here for another two years.
"I stayed and signed a new contract previously because I wanted to help the club return to the Championship and deliver that success. Now that we have achieved that, I’m looking forward to proving myself in the second tier once again.”
Cooper eyeing deals for ex-Swans
Steve Cooper is reportedly interested in signing Joe Rodon and Morgan Gibbs-White at Nottingham Forest.
Rodon has been unable to nail down a place in the starting 11 at Tottenham under Antonio Conte and is keen to leave Spurs this summer. As for Gibbs-White, he excelled during his season-long loan spell with Sheffield United last term but faces stiff competition for a spot in Bruno Lage's Wolves team.
And the Daily Mail claim Welshman Cooper is keen to take the ex-Swansea pair to The City Ground this summer. Forest are set to play Premier League football for the first time in 23 years next season having gained promotion from the Championship by beating Huddersfield Town in the play-off final at Wembley in May.
READ MORE: Carabao Cup first round draw in full as Swansea City discover opponents
'Good times ahead' - Pato
Jamie Paterson believes there are good times ahead for Swansea following the news of his new contract.
The attacker was due to be out of contract this summer, although the club triggered the one-year extension option in his deal earlier this year. And earlier this week, it was confirmed that the 30-year-old has been handed an additional 12 months on his deal, meaning he is now contracted to the Swans until the summer of 2024.
And having put pen to paper on fresh terms with Russell Martin's side, Paterson believes the future is looking bright for the Swans.
"Buzzing to sign a new contract!" he wrote on social media. "Here’s to the good times ahead, let’s go! #YJB @SwansOfficial."
READ NEXT:
