Swansea City play down Ola John signing reports

Ola John has won one cap for the Netherlands

Swansea City have played down reports they are on the brink of signing Netherlands winger Ola John from Portuguese side Benfica.

Reports in the Netherlands suggest John, 23, is close to agreeing a five-year deal with the Swans.

His agent and brother, former Fulham striker Collins John, says a transfer is "very close" to completion.

Swansea are thought to be interested in John, but a club spokesman said: "There's no deal imminent."

John joined Benfica from Dutch side Twente for around 12m euros in 2012 and made 28 appearances in all competitions during the 2014-15 season, scoring three goals.

The Liberian-born player has one Netherlands cap to his name and spent part of the 2013-14 season on loan at German Bundesliga club Hamburg.

"There was interest from other clubs in the Premier League, but Ola has the best feeling in Swansea City," his agent and brother Collins John told Dutch newspaper Voetbal International.

"Last season Swansea had tried to recruit him, but that was at the last moment. That moment is now very close."

Swansea, who have yet to make their first signing of the summer, have denied talks with John are at an advanced stage.

However, the Premier League club are in negotiations with St-Etienne left-back Franck Tabanou, who has been a transfer target for the Swans since January.