Swansea City

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Swansea City striker Zan Vipotnik may be in line for a second successive busy summer.

Vipotnik went to Euro 2024 with Slovenia during the close season last year, featuring as a substitute during his country's draw with Serbia at the tournament in .

There is no senior major compeitition for European sides this year, of course, but Vipotnik is in contention to play at the Uefa European Under-21 Championship.

Slovenia Under-21s have qualified for the tournament for the first time – though they have featured before as hosts – having topped their qualifying group ahead of the likes of and Austria.

And though Vipotnik turned 23 in March, he is still young enough to feature for a Slovenia side who are in a group with , Czech Republic and holders England.

Slovenia's first game is against the Germans on 12 June.

Swansea head coach Alan Sheehan is likely to be watching with interest, particularly with his squad likely to return for pre-season training at roughly the same time as the Uefa tournament draws to a close.

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Alan Sheehan's first pre-season as Swansea City's head coach will include a trip to Spain.

Swansea will play a friendly against League One side Stevenage at the Pinatar Arena on Saturday, 19 July (12:00 local time) at the end of a week-long training camp.

The fixture, which will be open to fans, is the second pre-season friendly Swansea have announced so far.

The Championship club will also play at Exeter City on Saturday, 26 July (13:00 BST).

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While the end of Swansea City's season prompts speculation as to which new players could arrive, there is also a batch of players who will return.

Head coach Alan Sheehan could benefit from several Swans who have spent the 2024-25 season getting their games elsewhere.

Swansea had a string of players out on loan last term, some of whom could yet figure in the senior side's plans going forward.

The most high-profile of the batch was striker Jerry Yates, who is due to re the squad for pre-season after a successful spell at Derby County.

Rams boss John Eustace itted the 28-year-old's future would be a summer conversation to be had, after 10 goals and four assists helped the Pride Park club stay in the Championship.

And it remains to be seen whether Swansea would look to keep the player, who has a year remaining on the deal he signed when arriving from Blackpool in 2023.

Likewise, Ukrainian forward Mykola Kuharevich also has a year to run on his deal in south Wales having spent last term at Hibernian.

Despite a lengthy injury lay-off over the winter, the 23-year-old has hit five goals in 24 Scottish Premier League (SPL) appearances during his time in Scotland, with Hibs close to sealing European football next year.

He has recently itted his future is unclear but was keen to helping the club earn a third-placed SPL finish as a farewell.

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Goalkeeper Andy Fisher – who fell behind Lawrence Vigouroux in the Swansea pecking order after getting injured in pre-season – has also played regular games in Scotland, featuring 17 times for St Johnstone and catching the eye in a shock win over Celtic that threatens to take their survival battle to the final weekend.

Fisher, 27, also has a year remaining on his Swansea contract, as does 23-year-old stopper Nathan Broome who left for Port Vale in January. He did not make a league appearance, but was a regular back-up as Darren Moore's side won promotion from League Two.

Meanwhile, midfielder Joel Cotterill caught the eye in the same division for Swindon Town, winning the club's goal of the season for a 30-yard effort against Port Vale.

The 20-year-old Wales age-grade international was a key man in the Robins' turnaround in form under Ian Holloway and is being tipped to fight for first-team contention when he returns to Swansea.

Fellow academy graduate Cameron Congreve, 21 (pictured above), also impressed in League Two with 40 outings for Bromley, scoring five – including one against Newcastle United in the FA Cup.

He is said to have gained much from his first regular season, with his performances leading to a new deal with the Swans in March.

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Swansea City are expected to turn their attention to other targets after expressing an interest in Lincoln City midfielder Ethan Erhahon.

Former Scotland Under-21 international Erhahon is being linked with a move to the Championship having made 107 appearances for Lincoln since ing the League One club in January 2023.

But despite suggestions that Swansea have had an offer for Erhahon turned down, the 24-year-old seems unlikely to move to south Wales.

Erhahon came through the ranks at Scottish side St Mirren before moving to Lincoln.

Gareth Vincent
BBC Sport Wales

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As things stand, Jerry Yates will be back at Swansea City when Alan Sheehan's squad reconvene for pre-season training later this summer.

But even at this early stage in what promises to be a busy close season, rumours are circling about where Yates may go next after a successful loan at Derby County.

Could he stick with the Rams? Given that Yates managed 10 goals and four assists for a side who narrowly avoided relegation, it would be no surprise should there be interest.

When asked by BBC Sport Wales last month about Yates' long-term future, Derby boss John Eustace said it was a conversation to be had come summer.

Presumably, those talks are now taking place.

Regardless over whether Derby are keen, there is speculation that a handful of clubs are interested in Yates who, while not prolific, is a proven Championship performer having scored 42 goals across the past four campaigns at second-tier level.

The feeling is that if a suitable offer comes in, Swansea would sanction Yates' departure.

The 28-year-old has another year to run – plus the option of a further 12 months – remaining on the contract he signed in 2023, when he ed Swansea from Blackpool in deal which valued him at about £3m.

Another move this summer could mean another vacancy as Swansea, once again, head into a transfer window looking for increased firepower.

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Mykola Kuharevich is another forward who is due back in Wales after a loan spell away, in his case at Hibernian.

But as with Yates, it would be no surprise should he be allowed to depart once more before Alan Sheehan's first full season as Swansea's head coach begins.

Then there are attacking players who were part of Sheehan's squad in 2024-25, but might be considered surplus to requirements should there be interest from elsewhere.

French winger-turned-striker Florian Bianchini's impact was limited following his move from Bastia, while Josh Ginnelly found game-time hard to come by having returned to fitness after a long spell out with an Achilles problem.

Zan Vipotnik had a decent debut year in the Championship, scoring seven goals in 42 league games – 24 of which were starts – having signed following the collapse of Bordeaux.

Yet it is not inconceivable that Swansea would say yes should a serious offer come in for the Slovenia international this summer.

With so many players' futures up in the air, it will be interesting to see exactly what Sheehan's attacking options are come the opening day of 2025-26.

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Swansea City transfer target Bobby Wales has been named Kilmarnock's Young Player of the Year for the 2024-25 season.

The 19-year-old's contract with the Scottish Premiership club expires this summer, and the Swans have identified the striker as a target for the window.

The Scotland Under-19 international has scored five goals in all competitions for the Ayrshire side so far this season.

He also netted 12 times in 26 appearances during a season-long loan spell with Alloa Athletic last season.

Swansea City fans took home their own piece of the Vetch, the club's former home, after victory over Wrexham in the FAW Premier Cup 20 years ago.

ers took home seats, grass and even advertising boards from the stadium which served as the club's base for 93 years.

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Cyrus Christie has said he is "grateful for the journey" after saying farewell to Swansea City for a second time.

Versatile defender Christie is leaving Swansea on a free transfer having ed the club on deal until the end of the season last November.

The 32-year-old made 12 appearances – including three starts – in his second spell as a Swan having been behind the likes of Josh Key and Josh Tymon in the pecking order.

Christie was signed as a free agent to provide cover across the back four and, while he is happiest at full-back, filled in at centre-back at times.

Swansea boss Alan Sheehan confirmed after the draw with Oxford on the final day of the season that Christie would be among the players departing this summer.

Writing on social media,, external Republic of Ireland international Christie said: "Thank you to everyone at Swansea City – team-mates, staff and fans – for the memories, and experiences that I'll always carry with me.

"Wishing the club nothing but success moving forward."

Christie was a more influential figure in his first stint at Swansea, when he scored three times in 23 appearances under Russell Martin after ing on loan from Fulham in January 2022.

He spent the next two seasons at Hull City having also played for Nottingham Forest, Middlesbrough, Derby County and Coventry City.

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Swansea City defender Josh Key's 30-yard stunner against Plymouth Argyle has earned him a nomination for the EFL's Championship Goal of the Month award.

The 25-year-old full-back sealed a 3-0 win for the Swans on 9 April with his spectacular lob over the goalkeeper from distance.

"It had been 364 days since Key's last goal, so expectations were low as he strode forward," said the Football League in its nominations list.

"The full-back had other ideas, striking his controlled 25-yard (or further) shot at pace and in a perfect arc."

Key, who ed Swansea from Exeter City in 2023, is one of four nominees for the April award, along with Coventry City's former Swans midfielder Jamie Paterson, Sunderland's Eliezer Mayenda and Oxford United's Cameron Brannagan, who is nominated for his stunner against Cardiff City on 21 April.

Fans can vote for their favourite on the EFL's website, with the winner announced on 16 May.

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Swansea City's Harry Darling has been nominated for April's Championship Player of the Month award.

The Swans won all five matches in which the centre-back started last month, with Darling netting against both Plymouth Argyle and Queens Park Rangers.

The English Football League wrote: "Darling contributed at both ends of the pitch as Swansea won all five of the April games in which he played.

"Commanding in the air and poised on the ground, he helped preserve four clean sheets while scoring two decisive goals at set pieces."

Darling is up against Millwall striker Mihailo Ivanovic, Leeds United winger Manor Solomon and Burnley midfielder Josh Brownhill for the award.

The 25-year-old's Swansea contract expires this summer, although newly-appointed head coach Alan Sheehan is eager to keep the defender in south Wales.

Darling has made 112 appearances in all competitions since ing the Swans from MK Dons in the summer of 2022, scoring 12 goals.

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Hector Kyprianou is on the lookout for a new club this summer having featured on Swansea City's list of targets in the last transfer window.

Peterborough United have announced that Kyprianou, their captain in 2024-25, will leave the League One club on a free when his contract expires next month.

The 23-year-old Cyprus international played 42 games for Peterborough in the season which has just finished, scoring five goals.

One of those strikes came at Wembley in April as Posh, who finished 18th in the third tier, shocked Birmingham City to win the EFL Trophy for a second straight year.

In all, Kyprianou made 140 appearances for Peterborough, scoring 16 goals, after ing from Leyton Orient in 2022.

Winger Kwame Poku, another player who has previously been linked with Swansea, is also leaving London Road, though he is expected to attract interest from a number of clubs.

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Alan Sheehan says the door will always be open for Joe Allen at Swansea City.

Allen is coming to with life outside football having announced his retirement last week at the age of 35.

The Wales great has said he has no idea what the future will hold after calling time on a senior playing career which began when he was aged 16 in 2007.

Allen briefly stepped up to help out with coaching at Swansea when he was injured earlier this spring.

Sheehan, who was appointed Swansea's head coach on a three-year deal last week, says it will be down to Allen to decide what comes next.

"I think Joe's in a position where right now, after such a long period of devoting your life to the game, I think probably he'll feel he just wants to step away and cool off for a bit," Sheehan said.

"[He will want to] chill out, spend time with the family and then be in a position to make that decision [on future plans].

"Whatever he wants to do, the door of Swansea City is always open for him."

Allen made his final appearance as a professional in last weekend's 3-3 draw with Oxford United.

The Pembrokeshire-born midfielder racked up almost 600 club appearances and 77 Wales caps during his distinguished career.

While Allen's family home is in south Wales, fellow Swansea veteran Kyle Naughton is thought likely to return to his native Yorkshire having announced his exit after more than a decade at the club.

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Lewis O'Brien has said thanks to Swansea City as the Championship club wait to see whether they have any chance of re-g the midfielder next season.

O'Brien became a key figure after ing Swansea on loan during the mid-season window, making 16 appearances as the Welsh side pulled clear of relegation danger to finish 11th in the table.

Director of football Richard Montague says Swansea "would love" to bring O'Brien back for a second spell, but the 26-year-old's next move is in Forest's hands.

While O'Brien is unlikely to force his way back into the Premier League club's plans, there is considerable work to do if Swansea are to get their man.

Forest may well want a fee for O'Brien this summer, whether he departs on another loan or a permanent basis.

If Swansea can agree a deal with Forest, the former Huddersfield player's salary demands would be a significant hurdle to clear.

For his part, O'Brien said last month he would be open to the idea of reing the Swans.

And after his loan spell came to an end last weekend, O'Brien has said "a massive thank you to everyone at Swansea City" on social media., external

"It's been a privilege to wear the shirt and be part of this club," he added.

"I've learned a lot during my time here and will always be grateful for the experience. Once a Jack, always a Jack."

Burnley defender Hannes Delcroix has also posted on social media after his loan stint at Swansea came to an end.

"Thank you Swansea, you were great!" he said.

Gareth Vincent
BBC Sport Wales

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For the third year in a row, Swansea City's players will head off on holiday with spirits lifted by a springtime upturn in form.

The challenge facing the club's new-look group of decision-makers is to find a way of ensuring that in the next campaign, there is no need for a late-season improvement to lighten the mood.

Swansea wobbled for a long time in 2022-23 before a sparkling run in what proved to be the final weeks of Russell Martin's reign.

Last season, there were struggles under Michael Duff and a difficult period for Luke Williams prior to an improvement from late February which ensured relegation was avoided with something to spare.

The pattern proved similar in 2024-25, with Swansea losing their way – albeit having shown promising signs for a while – under Williams and then finding momentum in the last three months under Alan Sheehan.

Can Swansea hope for better in 2025-26? Could Sheehan find a way of building a team who are at least in contention for a play-off place in 12 months' time?

In the fearsome scrap that is the Championship, nothing will come easy, particularly for a club whose budget is inferior to those of numerous others at their level.

Sheehan said this week that Swansea will have to get many big decisions right if they are to become Premier League contenders again any time soon.

The calls are being made already. Harry Darling has been offered an improved contract, but it remains to be seen whether he will be tempted by potentially more lucrative deals available elsewhere.

Swansea have indicated that they will try to get Lewis O'Brien back next season but, given his sizeable contract and the fact there will surely be a few suitors for the Nottingham Forest player, can the Welsh club really compete for his signature?

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Then comes recruitment. There are vacancies to fill with Joe Allen, Kyle Naughton, Jon Mclaughlin, Cyrus Christie and Kristian Pedersen gone along with loan gs Myles Peart-Harris and Hannes Delcroix.

There are players out on loan who, as things stand, will be back at Swansea for pre-season, among them strikers Jerry Yates and Mykola Kuharevich and goalkeeper Andy Fisher.

Will any of those be given another chance to impress?

Even if some coming back are welcomed into the fold, a Swansea squad which has looked light in certain areas throughout this season must be strengthened.

Melker Widell is on the way, while Zeidane Inoussa looks likely to follow and Bobby Wales may also arrive.

But many more new faces are required.

So while Ben Cabango and Co head for the beach, there is plenty of work for Sheehan, director of football Richard Montague, chief executive Tom Gorringe and Swansea's owners to do to give the club a realistic chance of achieving anything significant next season.

Not for the first time in recent memory, it promises to be an interesting summer.