Roberts return? It would not be a shock

It would be a popular move among Swansea City fans should Connor Roberts come back to the club where he made his name.

Roberts, who turned 29 in September, has made it plain that he wants to wear a Swansea shirt again before his playing days come to an end.

So what chance is there of Roberts returning? The fact he is keen represents one major step towards making it happen.

Swansea would have to be keen on the idea too, of course.

Transfers can be very tricky to predict but, as things stand, a move for Roberts next summer would make a fair bit of sense.

The Wales right-back's Burnley contract expires at the end of the season, so there will be no transfer fee involved should he leave Turf Moor.

Swansea, meanwhile, could be in the market for a right-sided defender.

Josh Key has been a star of Luke Williams' team so far this season and, while Swansea will not want to lose the former Exeter City man, transfer interest in him will be inevitable should he maintain his current performance levels across this campaign.

Swansea's other right-sided defensive options at present are 32-year-old Cyrus Christie, who recently rejoined the club on a deal until the end of the season, and Kyle Naughton, who turns 36 this week and is another player whose contract will expire next June.

Having spent the last summer window chasing young, cheaper players with development potential, Swansea would be taking a different approach should they target Roberts in six months' time.

But then they would getting a high-quality Championship performer whose commitment to the club's cause would not be in question.

Should the return of Roberts materialise, therefore, it would not be shock.