Swansea City

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Swansea City have discovered how much they will pay for Josh Key as compensation due to Exeter City was decided by tribunal.

Swansea signed Key in July 2023 and the 24-year-old has since established himself as the Championship club's first-choice right-back.

But they have only now found out how much Key's transfer will cost.

Key's contract was up at Exeter last summer, but because the player was under the age of 24 at the time, the Grecians were entitled to a compensation payment for their part in his development.

After the two clubs failed to agree a compensation fee, it has now been decided by the professional football compensation committee (PFCC).

"Although the process was far more protracted than we would have liked, Exeter City is content with the final award," the League One club said in a statement on their website.

"We are appreciative of the decision by the PFCC which recognises that sustainably-run clubs like Exeter City, who provide opportunity and develop younger players, should be fairly rewarded for their contribution to player development.

"As stipulated by the PFCC, the proceedings and its award are confidential."

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We asked for your views on Swansea City as they prepare for Sunday's south Wales derby.

Here are some of the things you told us.

Ianto: It’s a cliché but form goes right out of the window for this one. Also, it’s so early in the season so the outcome is even more difficult to call. I just want to avoid a defeat - anything more is a bonus.

Mr Beans: Glad that the recruitment has shown similarities to Man City's intelligent approach but at some stage don't you think we'd benefit from some big strong lads - just to keep it real and put great fear into the opposition's boots?

Sam: Swans looking better than last season with a competent manager settled in, some good incomings in the transfer window but squad still a bit light. I fancy them for this derby game.

Iwan: I think the Swans will batter them - their defence is a mess, can’t see them handling Ronald and Eom even if the rest of the team aren’t 100%. Just run at them!

Morgan: I'm still nervous about Swansea blowing it after last season, but I expect that 'the Swansea way' will get us another win.

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Swansea City youngster Liam Smith has joined Scottish Championship side Partick Thistle on loan for the rest of the season.

Midfielder Smith, 20, joined Swansea from Manchester City in 2023 and has spent time training with Luke Williams' senior squad this season.

The Scot will look to make his senior debut while at Partick.

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Luke Williams says Swansea City “will always love” Jamie Paterson after the attacking midfielder’s move to MLS side Charlotte FC.

Paterson’s future has been uncertain throughout the summer after his Swansea contract expired.

The 32-year-old was offered a new contract by Swansea but did not sign amid suggestions he was unhappy with the terms on offer.

Even so, head coach Williams refused to rule out the idea of Paterson returning to Swansea when asked earlier this month.

But the former Bristol City player has instead joined Charlotte, who are managed by his former boss at Walsall, Dean Smith.

Paterson has initially joined the American club for the remainder of the 2024 season, but there is an option for him to stay on for 2025.

“We offered Jamie a contract but he is an experienced player who has the luxury of being able to have choice,” said Williams.

“He’s joining a manager he is very, very fond of. We love him, we always will. He had some great moments here and is such a great personality – everybody is very fond of him.

“We wish him so well and we will always welcome him back here if he comes to watch a game.”

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Alan Curtis believes there's a "fresh optimism" at Swansea City following back-to-back home wins going into the derby meeting with Cardiff City.

Having lost 1-0 at Middlesbrough in their Championship opener, Luke Williams' side beat Gillingham 3-1 in the first round of the Carabao Cup before thumping Preston North End in their opening home league fixture of the season.

And club legend Curtis believes the Swans can continue their winning run when they welcome Erol Bulut's side to the Swansea.com Stadium on Sunday (15:00 BST).

"There's a fresh optimism and a fresh confidence in the team at the moment," Curtis told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

"Certainly the way they played last Saturday against Preston, that's as good as we've played for a long time and you feel that there's more to come from this team.

"Going into the [Cardiff] game, we have good grounds for optimism. 

"We're at home. You can argue, is there a good time to play Cardiff? They lost 5-0 [at Burnley]. Is it a good time or a bad time? I'm sure there will be a reaction.

"They certainly won't come down and roll over, but I'm really confident at the moment."

Cardiff go into the derby having lost to Sunderland and Burnley, conceding seven times without scoring across those two league matches. Their sole win this season came against Bristol Rovers in the Carabao Cup.

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Swansea City have been boosted by news that Joe Allen is fit for Sunday's south Wales derby.

The vastly experienced midfielder is yet to play this season after picking up a toe injury in pre-season.

But former Wales international Allen, 34, has been declared fit for this weekend's meeting with neighbours Cardiff City at the Swansea.com Stadium.

“Joe Allen is in full training so is available for selection," said Swansea head coach Luke Williams.

"We are all happier when Joe is available and can be in the squad. It makes everybody at this club a lot happier, so that’s good news.”

Allen's return gives Swansea a welcome option in midfield.

But there are injury issues elsewhere in Williams' squad, with Sam Parker, Aimar Govea, Josh Ginnelly and goalkeeper Andy Fisher all on the sidelines.

It may be early in the season, but it's still the game Swansea City and Cardiff City fans have been waiting for. Or maybe not.

Whether you love it or loathe it, the south Wales derby is back on Sunday as the latest chapter in a 112-year rivalry gets ready to be written.

Will it be Cardiff revenge after their joy in breaking Swansea's stranglehold proved short-lived when Luke Williams' side stormed to a home victory back in March?

Or is normal Swansea service fully resumed in this fixture as they look for a sixth win from the last seven derbies?

After Liam Cullen's heroics last time out, who could be the key man this time and add their name to the likes of Marvin Emnes, Nathan Dyer, Jordi Gomez and Wilfried Bony in derby day lore?

And does the 3-0 win over Preston give you confidence the Swans can do it again - or has it papered over the cracks of a paper-thin squad?

You can send us your pre-derby views here, external.

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Owain Tudur Jones believes Swansea City's current style of play is Cardiff City's "kryptonite".

The Swans face the Bluebirds in the first south Wales derby of the 2024-25 Championship season on Sunday afternoon (15:00 BST).

Luke Williams' side head into the match at the Swansea.com Stadium as favourites having won five of the past six meetings between the two teams.

And former Swansea midfielder Jones is confident the hosts will emerge victorious over Erol Bulut's side this weekend.

"Swansea are in a better place, let's get it right," he told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

"I think history tells us Swansea have a much better record. I think recent history tells the same story.

"The only blip from a Swansea perspective was the one time when they had a manager who decided to play a bit of hoof ball under Michael Duff and I think that gave Cardiff a better chance of winning that game at the start of last season.

"The way Swansea have played under the last few managers, certainly Russell Martin and Luke Williams at the end of last year, it is Cardiff's kryptonite.

"Maybe these words will come back to haunt me, being an ex-Swansea player, I cannot see anything other than a Swansea win on Sunday."

Swansea are bidding to secure a third successive home win having beaten Gillingham and Preston North End since losing their Championship opener at Middlesbrough.

Cardiff go in search of a first league victory of the campaign following defeats by Sunderland and Burnley.

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Jamie Paterson’s next move could be revealed soon with the attacking midfielder looking set to sign for MLS side Charlotte FC.

Paterson is a free agent after his Swansea City contract expired this summer.

Swansea offered the 32-year-old a new deal, but head coach Luke Williams said earlier this month “the landscape changed” with Paterson because the club “didn’t have too much contact” with the player during the summer.

Nevertheless, Williams refused to rule out the idea of Paterson re-signing.

Paterson scored 17 goals in 109 Swansea appearances but is thought to have been unhappy with the contract offer the Championship club made this summer.

The former Bristol City player now looks poised for a move to the MLS, after being pictured in training with Charlotte.

The American club are managed by ex-Aston Villa boss Dean Smith, who was Paterson’s manager when he came through the ranks at Walsall.

Chris Wathan
BBC Sport Wales

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Swansea City remain on the hunt for new signings, with the club hopeful of making additions before Sunday's south Wales derby.

Despite a positive impact made by summer arrivals Zan Vipotnik, Eom Ji-Sung, Goncalo Franco and Lawrence Vigoroux, the Swans are still in need of numbers.

With 13 senior players gone since the end of last season, boss Luke Williams admits it has been a challenging transfer window for the Championship club.

Few fans are expecting Swansea to start splashing the cash as the big-money moves further up the pyramid continue to roll in ahead of next Friday's deadline day.

The latest deals include faces familiar to Swansea, including former loan midfielder Conor Gallagher.

Gallagher, who spent the second half of the 2019-20 season with the Swans as Steve Cooper's side reached the Championship play-offs, has ended speculation over his Chelsea future by completing a £33m move to Atletico Madrid.

Meanwhile Bashir Humphreys, who struggled to make a real impact on at the Swansea.com Stadium last season, has gone on loan from Chelsea to Championship Burnley - with some reports of a sizeable permanent deal in the pipeline.

A third former loanee from Chelsea has been the subject of plenty of headlines this summer, with Newcastle keen on landing now Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.

Guehi was another player who caught the eye during Cooper's time at the club, subsequently moving to Selhurst Park where the Eagles have turned down three bids from Newcastle - the latest believed to be in the region of £60m.

But while seeing loan players move on for big money is one thing, reports regarding a former target may sting.

Matt O'Riley was high on Russell Martin's wishlist in January 2022, six months into his first season in Wales.

The midfielder, who was available at the time for about £1.5m from Martin's former club MK Dons, was said to be keen on linking up with his old boss.

In the end, though, Swansea's hierarchy did not sanction the deal having already brought in Andy Fisher from MK Dons that month, with Flynn Downes, Michael Obafemi and Joel Piroe among those who had been signed for fees since the summer.

O'Riley instead headed to Celtic after they triggered his release clause, and has gone on to become a star at Parkhead, with three titles to his name.

Now a Denmark international, O'Riley attracted interest from Atletico Madrid in January.

And it appears Celtic are bracing themselves for further interest, with Atalanta, Brighton and Napoli among those linked with a transfer that would likely surpass the Scottish champions' record sale at around £25m.

A case of what might have been, perhaps?

But while Swansea may well regret one that got away, the challenge is now to try to grab a future money-spinner before the window closes.

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Swansea City's EFL Cup second-round home tie with Wycombe Wanderers will take place on Wednesday, 28 August (19:45 BST).

The Swans have a Championship derby this coming Sunday as rivals Cardiff City visit the Swansea.com Stadium (15:00 BST).

Swansea eased into EFL Cup second round with a 3-1 win over Gillingham thanks to goals from Ronald, Liam Cullen and Azeem Abdulai.

The tie against League One Wycombe, who include former Wales striker Sam Vokes in their ranks, will be the sides' first meeting since a 2-2 Championship draw in Swansea in April 2021.

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Swansea City could still sign Ruben Providence despite the former France Under-21 winger's trial with the Championship club having come to an end.

Providence featured as a second-half substitute in a friendly against Rio Ave during the Swans' pre-season preparations.

The 23-year-old plays for Austrian club TSV Hartberg but has been allowed to spend time at Swansea and Championship new boys Oxford United this summer.

“He's not been in with us but I think there is still a possibility that something could happen, because I don't think he has put pen to paper anywhere," said Swansea head coach Luke Williams.

“So I'll catch up with the recruitment people, the chairman, the sporting director."

On transfers in general, Williams added after Saturday's 3-0 win over Preston North End: “When we catch up in the week, hopefully I'll have some interesting [transfer] news for you [the media]."