Swans secure centre back Federico Fernandez

Swansea City,11/8 for a top 10 finish, have moved swiftly to land former Napoli defender Federico Fernandez for a reported fee of £8m. The Argentina capped centre half is rumoured to be joining the Swans on a four-year deal, and is set to wear the number 33 shirt previously worn by Ben Davies.

The Welsh club required a replacement for Chico Flores, who recently departed the Liberty Stadium for Qatari club Lekhwiya, to partner Swans skipper Ashley Williams.

Fernandez is somewhat of a coup for Swansea boss Garry Monk, having represented his nation four times in Brazil at the World Cup. He has been capped 30 times in total for La Albiceleste, netting twice.

After joining Napoli from Estudiantes in 2011, Fernandez, 25, spent time on loan with Spanish side Getafe, making 14 outings.

Napoli boss Rafa Benitez kept the South American at the Stadio San Paolo last season, where the 6ft 3in defender racked up 26 appearances, as the Italian outfit enjoyed a third-place Serie A finish and lifted the Coppa Italia.

This signing is good news for former Swans captain Monk, who is embarking on his first managerial job at the Liberty Stadium after spending ten terms with the Welsh side as a defender.

Monk has seen a host of first-team players head for the exit this summer, with the recent departures of Michu, Flores and Pablo Hernandez, and the duo of Davies and Michel Vorm also leaving for Tottenham.

Swansea have been proactive in the summer market themselves, though, with Monk swooping to snap up free transfers Lukasz Fabianski and Bafetimbi Gomis, with former loan star Gylfi Sigurdsson also returning to the fold for an undisclosed fee.

Speaking ahead of signing Fernandez, the Swans boss said: “Hopefully he will be a very good player for us. He brings that pedigree – he has been playing for Napoli and Argentina.”

Fans will certainly be hoping the Argentine can help sure up a backline that leaked 54 goals last season, with Swansea 5/1 to be relegated.