Swans boss Monk to turn to Fed for assistance

Swansea City, 5/1 to be relegated next term, are on the hunt for experienced and quality defensive options to significantly boost their backline, and have earmarked Napoli centre back Federico Fernandez.

Chico Flores, who was brought in under former boss Michael Laudrup’s stewardship, is rumoured to have had a falling out with new manager Garry Monk, and may follow the Dane to Qatari club Lekkyweeki.

The fee is reported to be around £8m for Fernandez who helped Argentina reach the World Cup final earlier this summer in Brazil, however, although he started the first three group games, injury forced him out of the latter stages. He could form an imposing partnership in the middle of defence with Ashley Williams, and having been farmed out on loan at one stage last season to Getafe, could be willing to move to south Wales.

At just 25, the player has the potential to go onto better things if he impresses, and Swansea would be good place to cut his teeth in the Premier League. By all accounts the Swans have strengthened rather impressively this summer, bringing in French centre forward Bafetimbi Gomis, and Ecuadorian winger Jefferson Montero to name a couple, and the Argentine would become the club’s seventh signing.

Although they have brought in goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski on a free transfer from Arsenal to replace Michel Vorm who went to Spurs, most of their recruits have been further up the pitch.

The Swans conceded on 54 occasions in the league last season, so will be keen to bring that figure down, especially with the campaign tipped to be one of the most competitive in recent times.

Monk would like to bring in more midfield reinforcements also, with Leon Britton and Jay Fulton having suffered setbacks in pre-season, though has conceded that there are only options if clubs are willing to sell.

“All you can do is see who is realistically available and then prioritise from there,” said Monk.

“I am constantly looking at all the positions and it’s whatever becomes available we will decide on.

“We are trying to work on a few things but the only people who will come in are people who want to be here. It will not be a rush job – it will be people who can contribute to the squad.”