Swansea in contract talks with Laudrup

Swansea are set to hold further talks with Michael Laudrup and are confident the Dane will sign a new extended contract.The Swansea boss only penned a two-year deal when he took charge of the club in the summer when he also made it clear that he woud not be staying for the long-term.However chairman Huw Jenkins is keen to reach a compromise with Laudrup that will see him stay at the Liberty Stadium until at least the summer of 2015.Talks have already taken place over a one-year extension and now Laudrup's agent Bayram Tutumlu has confirmed there will be further negotiations this week while everyone is in Dubai."Yes, Swansea has a strong interest in extending Michael Laudrup's contract," Tutumlu has said. "And, in the coming days, we will meet with Swansea and discuss the possibility of an extension."

Swansea Fan Arrested on suspicion of racist attack on Norwich player

Swansea City have issued a statement on their official website after it emerged that a supporter was arrested at today’s Barclays Premier League fixture against Norwich on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence.The alleged incident occurred towards the end of the game at the Liberty Stadium when Norwich defender Sebastian Bassong reported the matter to referee Howard Webb. Within the space of around 10 minutes the supporter in question was identified by club stewards via television footage and immediately arrested. The full statement reads:


Swansea City is disappointed to confirm that a supporter was arrested at today’s Barclays Premier League fixture against Norwich on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence.
The alleged incident occurred towards the end of the game at the Liberty Stadium when Norwich defender Sebastian Bassong reported the matter to referee Howard Webb.
Within the space of around 10 minutes the supporter in question was identified by club stewards via television footage and immediately arrested.
The police have also taken a statement from the player in question.
The club will do everything possible to assist the Police with their enquiries which are on-going.
Swansea City Football Club has worked tirelessly over a number of years to make the Liberty Stadium a family-friendly venue for supporters of all ages, gender and race to attend.
It treats seriously all breaches of public order, including racism, which it abhors.
The matter is now in the hands of the police and the club will await their findings before considering making any further comment on the alleged incident.

Match Report Swansea 3 Bolton 1

Swansea maintained their unbeaten Premier League home record as three second-half goals saw off 10-man Bolton 3-1 at the Liberty Stadium. The game turned decisively in Swansea's favour early in the second half as Bolton's Ricardo Gardner was sent off after collecting a second booking and Joe Allen scored from the resulting free-kick. Scott Sinclair got the second as he converted his third spot-kick of the season in the 57th minute after Darren Pratley, formerly of Swansea, had fouled Angel Rangel in the area before Graham put through his own net to give Bolton hope, but the same player redeemed himself with the third in injury time.

Tremmel signs for Swansea

Swansea City today bolstered their goalkeeping options with the signing of Gerhard Tremmel. The German stopper has signed a two-year contract at the Liberty Stadium following a successful trial with the Swans. Tremmel, who has previously played in the Bundesliga for Hannover, Hertha Berlin and Energie Cottbus, has joined on a free transfer after leaving Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg this summer.The 32-year-old joined up with the Swans during their Austrian training camp in July, and featured in their friendly match with the United Arab Emirates' Olympic team. Brendan Rodgers then brought Tremmel to South Wales to take another look at the former Bayern Munich trainee, who played in the friendly victories over Celtic and Real Betis at the Liberty. Now, with David Cornell out on loan at League Two club Hereford, Brendan has strengthened his options with the arrival of Tremmel, who battles for the number one shirt with Michel Vorm and Jose Moreira. "I'm delighted to be here as a Swansea player," said Tremmel. "I've been with the club for quite a while on trial, and I already felt a part of the squad as everyone here has been so welcoming. It is a family club. "I have also had the chance to see how the team gets on in the Premier League, and I've been impressed with what I've seen. "But I've got a big challenge ahead of me. Of course, I have to be patient because Michel has been playing very well and Jose is also pushing to play. "However, I feel I have good experience to share from my time playing in the Bundesliga, and that could help us this season. "But first I need to get my chance, which I will work hard for and I will also be patient. "I'm just looking forward to getting started officially as a Swansea player."

Match Report: Swansea 0 Sunderland 0

It finished all square at the Liberty Stadium as Swansea and Sunderland created chances but couldn't find the back of the net. The home side enjoyed the better of the first-half opportunities, while the Black Cats arguably shaded the second half. Sunderland hit the ground running as they started brightly. Debutant John O'Shea saw his header clip the crossbar, while Swansea keeper Michel Vorm made a great save to keep out Stephane Sessegnon. Swansea began to find their way back into the game and Scott Sinclair shook the crossbar with a 35-yard thunderbolt. Nathan Dyer also went close but saw his header fly inches wide of the upright. Shortly before the break Danny Graham should have given the home side the lead but put a free header the wrong side of the post. Sunderland went closest to breaking the deadlock after half time. O'Shea provided the ammunition with a cross but Craig Gardner had to stretch to get to the ball and his diving header flew over the bar. Meanwhile, Asamoah Gyan saw his effort saved by Vorm after a swift break from Steve Bruce's men. At the other end Simon Mignolet pulled out a superb point-blank stop from Graham in what was the Swans best opportunity of the second 45 minutes. The result leaves both sides on two points from their opening three games, but of the two managers Steve Bruce may be the one feeling a touch more pressure after Sunderland's busy summer in the transfer market.

Match Report: Manchester City 4 Swansea City 0

Sergio Aguero scored two goals and set up another on his debut to help Manchester City beat newcomer Swansea 4-0 Monday and give the Welsh club a harsh welcome to the Premier League. Goalkeeper Michel Vorm had made a string of good saves to help Swansea withstand nearly an hour of relentless pressure from City before Edin Dzeko finally put the host ahead in the 57th. The striker capitalized on Vorm's first inaccuracy, slotting a rebound into the empty net after the goalkeeper failed control Adam Johnson's shot from the right side of the area. Aguero then came on as a substitute and made it 2-0 in the 67th, meeting Micah Richards' cross at the far post for an easy tap-in. The Argentina striker then set up David Silva for the third just three minutes later, and rounded off the scoring with a long-range strike in injury time.

Swansea Target Stockdale

SWANSEA City have targeted England squad goalkeeper David Stockdale as the replacement for Dorus de Vries. Brendan Rodgers hopes to tie up a deal for the 25-year-old before his players return for pre-season training next week.Landing a first-choice keeper is Swansea's top priority after de Vries turned down the offer of a new deal at the Liberty in favour a move to Wolves.And Rodgers, who is also believed to have inquired about Tottenham's Carlo Cudicini, is hopeful he has found the right man in the highly-rated Stockdale.The 6ft 3in stopper made ten appearances for Fulham last season and won plaudits for his performances.He saved a Nani penalty in a 2-2 draw against Manchester United last August, and managed clean sheets in half the games he played last term.

Stockdale's impressive showings caught the attention of Fabio Capello. He was set to be named in the England squad early last season only to miss out through injury, but his first call-up eventually came for the friendly against Denmark in February.

He was also included in the party for England's Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland in May but was absent for that game as he was getting married.

A former York City youngster, Stockdale's form at Darlington saw him move to Fulham in a £600,000 deal three years ago.

He has since had loan spells at Rotherham, Leicester and Plymouth, and new Fulham boss Martin Jol suggested last week that Stockdale will be sent out on loan again this season.

Swansea could sign him on a temporary basis, though it is understood Rodgers would ideally like to buy the Leeds-born player. The Swansea manager reckons Stockdale will suit his team as they take on the Premier League.

And he could be prepared to pay as much as £3 million to bring him to Wales.

Swansea to open Soriano talks

Swansea are set to open talks with Barcelona striker Jonathan Soriano with a view to wrapping up a £1m deal.The 25-year-old caught the eye of Swans boss Brendan Rodgers last season when he fired home 32 goals for the Barca B team and the striker is now high on his wanted list.Chairman Huw Jenkings is refusing to confirm that Swansea are in the hunt for Soriano but did say he is due to open talks with the agent of a player they hope to sign.
"I will be meeting with the representative of a player that we feel will be perfect for Swansea City," Jenkins told the South Wales Evening Post.
"He has the talent that would fit in to the style in which we believe in, and we are hopeful of him coming here. By flying out to meet his representative, I hope we can agree a deal within the next few days.We will talk about what we want to achieve as a club, and what the player wishes to achieve too."
Swansea will have to move quickly to secure a deal for Soriano as there will be no shortage of interest in the player.

Caulker of a deal for Swansea City

Swansea have agreed a deal with Tottenham which will see defender Steven Caulker join the Welsh club on a season-long loan.The 19-year-old has impressed in previous loan spells at Yeovil and Bristol City and will strengthen the Swans' defence following their promotion to the Barclays Premier League.The England Under-21 international will put pen to paper within the next week on a deal which will be reviewed in January.
City chairman Huw Jenkins told the club's official website, www.swanseacity.net: "We are delighted to have agreed terms with Tottenham regarding a deal for Steven."The deal has been very close for the last couple of weeks. I met (Tottenham chairman) Daniel Levy at a Premier League meeting in Darlington and spoke at length about Steven."We feel his general size and ability are perfect qualities to add to our team.
"Steven is a young, upcoming player that is a big talent, and he is looking forward to being part of our squad in the Premier League."It is an exciting signing for us. There was other interest in him prior to this deal being agreed, but Tottenham felt it was perfect for Steven to continue his deal here."

Bolton sign midfielder Darren Pratley from Swansea

Bolton have made their first signing of the summer after the Swansea midfielder Darren Pratley agreed a four-year deal. The 26-year-old former Fulham trainee made 199 appearances during a five-year spell with the Swans, his last being in the Championship play-off final win over Reading at Wembley that secured promotion to the Premier League.

"We're delighted to have Darren here," the Bolton manager, Owen Coyle, said. "A number clubs were interested in him and we are pleased to have secured his services."

Ipswich report Swansea to the Premier League and seek a transfer embargo

Ipswich have reported Swansea to the Premier League and asked for a transfer embargo to be placed on the top-flight newcomers for alleged non-payment of invoices.Club chief executive Simon Clegg claims the Swans have reneged on a deal relating to the payment of Tamas Priskin's wages while he was on loan last season and subsequent add-ons as a result of their promotion."I am hugely disappointed a legally-binding agreement reached in good faith by both clubs as part of Swansea's final push for promotion is now being disputed," Clegg told itfc.co.uk.Ipswich claim the loan agreement made provision for Swansea to pay for Priskin's wages up to May 31 even though he was injured on April 22.They also say the contract provided for "cumulative payments for each stage of the play-off competition"."I am genuinely delighted for Swansea and their fans but the attempted renegotiation and deliberate mis-interpretation of agreed terms by their chairman (Huw Jenkins) is not fitting for a club which has just secured the ultimate prize in Championship football and its £90million windfall.

"Tamas arrived in Swansea fit and became injured while under their care - that's football but contracts have to be honoured and I have absolutely no interest in renegotiating this agreement.

"As a result of Swansea refusing to pay our invoices I have reported them to the Premier League, sought an immediate transfer embargo and am now seeking full payment of all outstanding sums with the agreed contractual interest rate of five per cent above base."

Swansea City Target Marcos Senna May Stay With Villarreal

Villarreal captain Marcos Senna will meet with the Spanish club tomorrow and discuss his move to Swansea City.The 34-year-old’s contract expires this month and he has held talks with the Premier League new boys about a switch to Wales.Doubts over his long-term future persist after only being able to start 15 La Liga games last season due to injury.Villarreal want the Spain international to remain at the club but have not been able to reach an agreement over a new contract.Showdown talks will now take place between Senna, his agent and president Fernando Roig to thrash out a new deal or let the player leave for the Swans.
Senna is apparently keen to try out the Premier League after hearing many good things about England from team-mate, Giuseppe Rossi.
But his family are not excited about leaving Spain so Senna will try and organise a new contract.

Swansea make £3.5million bid for Danny Graham.

Swansea have moved to bolster their attacking arsenal ahead of their first Premier League campaign with a £3.5million bid for Danny Graham.According to Watford, the striker's current employers, they have accepted the Swans' bid and have therefore given the top-flight newcomers permission to discuss a contract with Graham.The 25-year-old hitman netted 24 goals in the npower Championship last season to top the scoring charts.The Swans bid is a record for the club, but the move is not necessarily a done deal. Rival clubs keen to sign Graham can now attempt to match or even surpass the £3.5million bid to snap up the striker right from under Swansea.

A statement on Watford's official website reads: "Watford Football Club confirms that it accepted a £3.5million bid for Danny Graham from Swansea City FC over the weekend.

"This means the player is permitted to talk to the Swans about his future.

"The 25-year-old striker remains under contract at Vicarage Road in the meantime."

Reading 2 - 4 Swansea

Scott Sinclair hit a hat-trick as Swansea became the first Welsh side to reach the Premier League after holding off a brave Reading fightback in a pulsating Championship play-off final at Wembley.The Swans have not played in the top flight of English football since 1983 but they scored three unanswered first-half goals to take control of Monday's match.Sinclair struck twice in as many minutes midway through the half, first from the penalty spot and then with a close-range finish, before Stephen Dobbie scored with his right foot from 16 yards.Royals substitute Jay Tabb and assistant manager Nigel Gibbs were both red carded at the break after abusing referee Phil Dowd on what was turning into an afternoon to forget for Brian McDermott and his team, but the Royals surged back into the contest after the restart.Joe Allen headed into his own net following Noel Hunt's flicked header, and Matt Mills converted a corner as Reading scored twice in eight minutes to leave the contest on a knife edge.Jem Karacan struck the Swansea post but Sinclair converted his second penalty of the afternoon 10 minutes from the end as the Welsh side held on.Swansea, who almost went out of business nine years ago, were far from their fluent best for most of the match but showed guts and resolve as Reading tore into them after the break.And their victory means that boss Brendan Rodgers, sacked by Reading after 23 games in charge in December 2009, ends his first campaign in south Wales celebrating the first promotion of his managerial career.Reading started the match with an intensity and tempo that suggested they did not want Swansea to settle into their smooth passing rhythm.Shane Long buzzed along the Swans back line and the Welsh side looked rattled, with keeper Dorus de Vries spilling a low cross that Ashley Williams eventually cleared.Swans right-back Alan Tate surrendered ground every time fit-again Royals winger Jimmy Kebe was in possession and the Reading man underlined his intent with one particularly dangerous run from inside his own half to the edge of his opponent's area.Reading were perhaps unlucky not to be awarded a penalty of their own when central defender Garry Monk appeared to handle the ball.However, the complexion of the contest changed completely when Sinclair scored his quick-fire double.

Nathan Dyer, the club's player of the season, had been anonymous but there was no doubt that Zurab Khizanishvili clumsily hacked him down for the penalty that Sinclair casually slotted home with a precise low finish.

The Reading defender was one of three players booked in the opening minutes of the game and he was perhaps fortunate to escape a second yellow for his foul on Dyer.

The Royals did not have time to regroup before Swansea scored again, with left-back Ian Harte's lack of pace cruelly exposed in the build-up.

Dobbie surged past the Irishman, who had a comfortable head start in the race for the ball, before delivering a low cross that Adam Federici could only deflect into the path of Sinclair, who slotted home from six yards.

Blackburn and Newcastle ready to move for Swansea winger

According to reports Blackburn Rovers are interested in Swansea City winger Scott Sinclair.However, it seems Rovers boss Steve Kean will face competition from Newcastle United.The People claims Magpies boss Alan Pardew is keen on the one time Chelsea starlet who has had more clubs than Jack Nicklaus. After failing to make the grade at Stamford Bridge he was loaned out to a myriad of sides before signing full-time with the Swans last year.The speedy winger is relishing playing first team football bagging a goal every other game with his latest club. That's 24 in 48 all competitions and he's desperate to get back into the Premier League to show Chelsea what they missed out on.

Sinclair has flourished at the Liberty Stadium this season helping the Swans to the Championship play-off final.

Newcastle chasing Pratley

Newcastle are believed to be eyeing a summer move for Swansea ace Darren Pratley, who is out of contract at the end of the season.

The 25-year-old has been one of the shining lights for the Swans this season, helping Brendan Rodgers' side push for promotion - with the Welsh outfit currently sat in fifth in the Championship.
Pratley was strongly linked with a move to Nottingham Forest in the summer but decided to stay at the Liberty Stadium, with Premier League teams now taking note of his impressive performances.
Alan Pardew is understood to be keeping tabs on the central midfielder, who will be a free agent in the summer and is in a position where he could sign a pre-contract agreement.
Wanderers could face competition for his signature though, with Premier League rivals Bolton Wanderers also believed to be interested in Pratley.

Swansea 0 Cardiff City 1

A superb Craig Bellamy strike sealed a thrilling south Wales derby win for Cardiff who climb over arch-rivals Swansea City into third.
On-loan Aaron Ramsey set up the former Wales captain on the edge of the box to curl his effort around Dorus de Vries and in off the post.
Darcy Blake had earlier struck the post for the Bluebirds while Chris Burke fired wide.
Scott Sinclair had Swansea's best chance but he could only blast over.
It was only the sixth goal the Swans had conceded at home all season, but for Cardiff, it marked their first derby win in Swansea since 1997 and first victory on the road since November.
Swansea set out to complete the first league double in the 82-year history of the derby after winning in Cardiff earlier this season.
But they could have been behind after just 35 seconds when Jay Bothroyd picked the ball up on the edge of the box before dragging his shot wide.
That was an early wake-up call for Swansea who then went on the attack, first with Darren Pratley seeing a shot blocked, and then Alan Tate headed Mark Gower's free kick over after Paul Quinn fouled Sinclair.
Cardiff always look a threat up front though, and it was Wales star Ramsey who was first to test Swans keeper De Vries.
The Arsenal midfielder, on loan at his hometown club and playing in his first derby, drilled a low 20-yard shot which De Vries parried, and Michael Chopra pounced on the rebound, only to be flagged offside.
Both sides got stuck into challenges and Pratley wanted a penalty at the other end when he went down under Quinn but the Bluebirds defender made enough contact with the ball.
Then Chopra found himself lucky to still be on the pitch on the half-hour when he went two-footed through the back of Ashley Williams, but escaped without even a caution.
Ex-Chelsea winger Sinclair had a relatively quiet first half but his best break down the left resulted in a dangerous cross into the box, and with Pratley rushing in, Bluebirds defender Kevin McNaughton cleared brilliantly under pressure.
Pratley was Swansea's biggest threat and he blasted an effort of his own comfortably over from 20 yards after bursting down the middle.
The Bluebirds were forced into a change at the break, with Darcy Blake coming on for McNaughton, but they started lively and on the hour, Quinn missed a guilt-edge chance after sneaking in to meet Craig Bellamy's corner only to glance his header wide from eight yards.
And two minutes later, Blake made a classy break into the box from the left, beating De Vries with a fierce shot which struck the far post.
Sinclair then showed what he can do with a brilliant run down the left before cutting inside and shaping up to shoot, but fired over, and then later saw a shot blocked by Hudson from a similar run.
Both sides pressed for a goal, Ramsey setting up Cardiff substitute Chris Burke who somehow managed to skew his shot wide.
Swansea relied mostly on the counter attack but the introduction of Craig Beattie for the ineffective Moore made the difference for them as the game really opened up.
Beattie was on hand free Sinclair in the box in the closing stages, but his out-stretched foot could only direct the ball the wrong side of the net.
But the winner came five minutes from time when Ramsey set up Bellamy with a neat one-two to delightfully curl the ball home and take all three points for his hometown club.