Swansea going global in transfer search

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Swansea signed Ronald on a deal running until 2027, with an option for another 12 months
  • Author, Gareth Vincent
  • Role, 大象传媒 Sport Wales

Luke Williams says Swansea City are going global in their search for new signings as they look to compete with the Championship鈥檚 鈥渂ig sharks鈥.

Head coach Williams says Swansea鈥檚 list of summer targets features few established second-tier players because of the salaries and transfer fees they would command.

Instead the Welsh club are looking elsewhere in the British market and, buoyed by the success of January signing Ronald, at players all over the world.

鈥淲e are looking at the UK market for sure, but we are looking at the European and even the global market,鈥 Williams said.

鈥淭here are fantastic players [out there] who would suit us down to the ground and would tick every box. We will try to source those players.

鈥淭here is not an abundance of proven Championship players [on our list] because there are big sharks circling in that tank. That鈥檚 absolutely fine.鈥

Ronald, 23, became the first Brazilian to play for Swansea after signing from Gremio Anapolis for a seven-figure fee, scoring three times in his first 18 Championship appearances.

Before moving to Wales, the winger had spent 18 months on loan with Portuguese club Estrela da Amadora.

Swansea secured Ronald鈥檚 signature having also targeted another player in the overseas market, Excelsior鈥檚 Couhaib Driouech.

Williams says the Ronald transfer was 鈥渙utstanding recruitment鈥 because of his ability, age and potential resale value.

鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 change it because we have an exciting, hungry player with really great qualities for the Championship,鈥 he said.

鈥淗e is also someone who will give fantastic service to the club while he is here and most probably allow the club to grow and the squad to grow if he departs. You don鈥檛 get a much better deal than that.鈥