Andre Ayew: Swansea City to discuss future with forward
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Andre Ayew's goal gave Swansea the lead in their play-off first-leg against Brentford
Swansea City boss Steve Cooper is to discuss the future with Andre Ayew after admitting the forward is too good for the Championship.
Ayew, 30, starred for Swansea City in 2019-20 after returning to Wales following a loan spell at Fenerbahce.
Ayew has a year to run on his sizeable contract, but may move on after Swansea missed out on promotion to the Premier League.
"I think that's a conversation me and Andre need to have," Cooper said.
"I would like nothing more than for Andre to be playing with us again next season.
"We have seen the real level of player he is this year, with the goals he has scored and the impact he has had on and off the pitch. It's been brilliant to work with him.
"But I understand Andre is a better player than the Championship. That's a matter of fact and I am sure he will have offers to do that.
"We need to have a good conversation over the next couple of days. We trust each other 100 per cent and in the end we will come to a resolution that's right for everybody."
Signed for £18m when Swansea were in the Premier League, Ayew is the club's top earner by a distance.
He has shone under Cooper, scoring 18 goals and claiming seven assists in 47 appearances.
But with cost-cutting continuing at the Liberty Stadium in the wake of top-flight relegation in 2018, Swansea may be forced to sell the former Marseille and West Ham forward.
There has been interest in Ayew from clubs in the Middle East, although the player may be more tempted by a move to one of Europe's top leagues.
"I understand that it'll be a talking point, whether he stays or goes," Cooper added.
"Whatever Andre decides to do, he will have thought about it long and hard about it, that's for sure, and we'll see where it goes."
Cooper disappointed to “fall short at critical stage”
Centre-back Joe Rodon is another player who is under contract at Swansea but has been linked with a move away this summer.
However, Cooper says he is "definitely hopeful" that the Wales international, 22, will be part of his squad in 2020-21.
Cooper admitted earlier this month he was not sure if Rodon would play for Swansea again after he suffered a season-ending ankle injury, but he is now more optimistic.
"He has missed a lot of football and I think with Joe - and he will tell you this himself - his only thought really should be getting fit and when he does get back into the team, getting back up to the form he has shown before," Cooper said.
"Staying, going, all that will take care of itself. But for me that's way down the line because he has been unfortunate with injuries and needs a bit of luck."
Cooper says Swansea are working on new signings ahead of next season, with one permanent addition understood to be close.
"I think with the nature of where the club is at the moment, new arrivals will be free transfers and loans," he explained.
"I know the things we have done with the loan players this year, giving these young boys opportunities, have raised awareness among bigger clubs and I think they see this is a good option.
"They know that if it's a player we want, we will commit to them.
"I would like to think we can do that again. We are talking about Rhian (Brewster coming back), we are talking about Freddie (Woodman) continuing, Marc (Guehi) is here as well.
"If we can continue that with one or two new faces, I think it will be a good thing."