Swansea have bid accepted for Nathan Redmond

The Birmingham Mail are reporting that both the Swans & Norwich have had bids accepted for the young wide-man

Following on from the profile I put together of Redmond when news of our interest in him first broke (read it here), it seems there really is something in this story. Whether we'll get our man remains to be seen, as current Canaries boss Chris Hughton has previously worked with Redmond at Birmingham City and that may well be enough to sway him in their direction, however with Europa League football on offer the Swans have incentives of their own. 

Redmond in action for Birmingham

The rumour is that despite Birmingham boss Lee Clark's reluctance to sell his best players, the financial peril the Blues have found themselves in dictates their transfer policy. Curtis Davies has already departed for Hull for £2.25million, and with Redmond's asking price reported to be only £2million I'll be amazed if more clubs don't come in for him before the deal is rubber-stamped. As well as the Swans' and Norwich's bids, the Birmingham Mail are also reporting that a third, unnamed Premier League club have had a bid rejected - who that may be is anyone's guess but I'd speculate that with the asking price so low, an improved bid may well be forthcoming.

Another aspect of the transfer which may work in Swansea's favour is the possibility of Kyle Bartley heading the other weigh as some kind of makeweight. It was mentioned when the story first broke that this may well end up panning out, and given Curtis Davies' transfer the Blues could seriously do with a decent centre-back - and I'd say Bartley definitely fits the bill. Whatever the reason behind his continued exclusion from the Swansea first-team, I'd say it's a shame given when he's played (Liverpool away excluded) he's looked a tidy footballer, but if it results in the club signing an exciting young winger I can't say I'm that against it.

Lee Clark told the Birmingham Mail that he's already been trying to tie up some loan deals for next season:

“I have agreed terms with two players and two Premier League clubs to take a right-sided centre-half and a left-sided centre-half on season-long loans. 

“Those deals are subject to medicals when the lads get off holidays, as Premier League teams aren’t due back for 10 days to two weeks, but I hope to have those completed next week because of the agreements with the players and the clubs are in place. It’s just down to them coming through the medicals. 

“I have spoken to both players and I will be delighted to get them."  Lee Clark

If the right-sided centre-back he's referring to is Bartley, then a loan to a competitive Championship club would well be a good thing. He didn't get a look in during the 2nd half of the season, so regular game time could well see him proving himself and coming back to the Swans with the bit between his teeth - wait and see eh?

Swansea linked with Ecuador winger Jefferson Montero

Montero during his time at Real Betis

In truth, this has got a mention purely because the guy has an outstanding name. I'm all for footballers who possess either (or ideally both) good hair or a good name, and while his barnet isn't up to much his moniker certainly is. What do we know about him? Information is scarce, but apparently he did play against the Swans when Betis came to town for a friendly, during a season-long loan he enjoyed at the club. 

I'll be surprised if there's anything in this, given he's currently playing in Mexico and our scouting network is anything but extensive. He came to Europe to play for Villareal, but after they deemed he wasn't up to their standard he was shipped out to Levante, then Betis on loan before subsequently heading back closer to home to play his football in the Liga MX. 

I'll file this one in the "very unlikely" drawer...

Edit: I've just found out that Jefferson Montero wears "JEFF" on the back of his shirt. That's me sold...