Swansea defender Wood closing in on Southampton move

Nathan Wood had loan spells with Crewe Alexandra and Hibernian before joining Swansea City

Southampton are close to signing defender Nathan Wood from Swansea City.

Saints boss Russell Martin is a huge admirer of the centre-back having taken the England Under-21 international from Middlesbrough to the Swans in the summer of 2022 for around £400,000.

Southampton failed with two bids worth about £10m for Wood last summer, but after guiding Southampton in the Premier League, Martin is now expected to clinch a deal to take Wood to St Mary's Stadium from his former club.

Wood's contract with Swansea expired this summer, although earlier this year, they triggered a one-year extension option in his deal.

Swansea have expected interest in Wood for some time, with head coach Luke Williams admitting the player's contract situation weakened the club's hand when it came to keeping hold of the defender.

Speaking in early May, Williams said: “There’s an obvious conclusion to be drawn there, that this might be the correct moment [to sell] because it makes sense all round maybe.

“We are not going to be advertising that there is a sale on, half-price, come and get him because he is an unreal player - we love him to pieces.

“But the situation that presents itself [means] it’s plausible that [a transfer] will happen.”

Wood is expected to undergo a medical on the south coast of England this week.

Swansea say he was not interested in the idea of signing a new long-term deal.

The central defender made 72 appearances in all competitions across his first two seasons with Swansea, scoring one goal.

Meanwhile, Jerry Yates has been at Derby County on Monday to undergo a medical with the newly-promoted club.

The striker is set to join the Rams on a season-long loan deal after just one campaign with the Swans following his summer move from Blackpool.

Yates netted nine goals in 46 outings for Swansea last term.

Free agent midfielder John Bostock is currently training with Swansea having previously played under Williams at Notts County.

However, the Welsh club have indicated Bostock is not being considered as a potential signing.

Swansea also hold an interest in South Korea international winger Eom Ji-Sung, of K-League side Gwangju.