It's no secret that Swansea City are eager to trim their squad before sanctioning further deals.
There are numerous players in the frame to leave the club either on loan or permanently in the final four weeks of the summer transfer window. But once funds and squad positions are freed up, it is hoped that Russell Martin will be able to go full throttle when it comes to making further additions.
At present, Harry Darling, Nathan Wood, Matty Sorinola and Joe Allen have all arrived, but at least two more new recruits are wanted while more could be needed depending on departures.
A wing-back is a clear priority for the Swans at present, with moves for Leeds United's Cody Drameh and Rotherham United's Chiedozie Ogbene being explored in recent weeks. Drameh would be a perfect fit given his qualities.
The 20-year-old is dynamic, athletic and skilful which are traits Martin loves in a wing-back - as fans saw with the likes of Hannes Wolf, Cyrus Christie and Ethan Laird last term. As for Ogbene, he is similar in that regard while he is also immensely versatile, as demonstrated by playing in a forward role against the Swans last weekend.
Central midfield is also an area to keep a firm eye on, though. Flynn Downes has left while Liam Walsh will be unavailable for most of the season after rupturing his Achilles, although Joe Allen has been drafted in.
However, the underlying issue remains. Swansea desperately need to offload more players, even after the recent exits of Morgan Whittaker, Lewis Webb and Downes which followed the release of Ben Hamer, Korey Smith and Yan Dhanda earlier this year.
Ryan Bennett's situation has proven to be something of a spanner in the works, with the defender cast aside since the latter stages of the 2021/22 campaign. He has attracted interest from Reading earlier this summer, although, at present, he remains a Swansea player.
The 32-year-old is understood to be one of the squad's better earners but wasn't even given a squad number for the 2022/23 season. It seems the Swans will have to come to some form of compromise if they are to get Bennett off the books in the remaining weeks of the window.
Nathanael Ogbeta's situation has also been puzzling to say the least. The left wing-back - identified by former sporting director Mark Allen - arrived at Swansea on deadline day in January with a hamstring concern and made just two substitute appearances after joining from Shrewsbury Town.
After featuring regularly in pre-season, Ogbeta was left out against Charlton Athletic on July 23 while he did not turn out for the Under-21s against Brentford B on the same day either. He was left out of the matchday squad for the Championship opener at Rotherham United but started and scored in a 5-2 win for the Under-21s against Haverfordwest County on Sunday.
He has attracted heaps of interest and has already turned down three moves to leave the club, but, at present, he remains a Swansea player.
Beyond that, it appears Swansea are likely to send others out on loan. Kyle Joseph, Brandon Cooper and Jordon Garrick appear highly likely to be playing their football away from the Swansea.com Stadium in the near future, with the latter of that trio the most likely to leave on a permanent basis.
Of course, Martin could well want either Liam Cullen - who was an unused substitute at Rotherham - or Joseph to stay as back-up to Michael Obafemi while there's also the unthinkable to remember regarding Joel Piroe who could yet leave if the club receive a substantial offer for the Dutchman.
Steven Benda clearly wants regular first team action, and following Peterborough United's £1m sale of Sammie Szmodics to Blackburn Rovers, it will be intriguing to see if the League One side revive their interest in Swansea's German goalkeeper. However, Posh have already recruited Lucas Bergström, with the Chelsea loanee starting in his side's opening day win at Cheltenham Town.
Beyond those men, Dan Williams and Jay Fulton provide cover for the midfield slots while Allen returns to full fitness, although their situations could well change in the next few weeks. But, even after a flurry of early activity, it appears increasingly likely that a good amount of Swansea's summer business is set to go down to the wire as a result of their struggles to find fringe men new clubs.
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