
Swansea City have been resurgent under Paul Clement, who steered them to Premier League survival last season. The departure of chief playmaker Gylfi Sigurdsson to Everton was undeniably a blow, but the Swans manager has responded with some astute signings, including Roque Mesa and Sam Clucas. Further incomings are expected, with reporting that Renato Sanches is close to finalising a season-long loan deal at the Liberty Stadium from Bayern Munich.
Here are three more signings that Swansea should look to make on deadline day:
Fabian Delph
Delph joined Manchester City two years ago but has never been a regular in the starting XI. The 27-year-old has been beset with injury problems and has slipped down the midfield pecking order at the Etihad as a result of City’s enormous spending spree. However, so good had Delph’s form been at Aston Villa that he was a mainstay in Roy Hodgson’s England team during qualification for the 2016 European Championships.
With Pep Guardiola keen to trim his squad, Delph may be available for an affordable price. Despite having landed Sam Clucas, Swansea look to be short of midfield options since Sigurdsson’s exit. Delph could provide them a cutting edge. When fit, he is a high-octane performer who covers a lot of ground. Not only capable of carrying out the dirty work, Delph is comfortable on the ball and capable of creating chances.
Benik Afobe
With claiming Fernando Llorente is in talks over a potential switch to Chelsea, Swansea are in need of a striker with Premier League pedigree. Bournemouth forward Afobe, who joined the Cherries from Wolverhampton Wanderers in January 2016, could be the ideal signing.
The DR Congo international has enjoyed a fairly successful spell on the south coast, scoring 10 goals in 45 Premier League appearances – many of those coming off the bench. Afobe struck up an excellent partnership with Joshua King last season, but the summer arrival of Jermain Defoe could see him relegated back to the bench. Afobe is a hard worker and is at his best when he plays on instinct. A fox in the box, the 24-year-old is guaranteed to score goals and would provide Clement with an alternative to Tammy Abraham.
Phil Jagielka
The Everton centre-back has been there, done it and worn the T-shirt. However, since Ashley Williams and, more recently, Michael Keane joined the Merseyside club, his playing time has become reduced. The 35-year-old may only have one or two seasons left in him in the Premier League, but he is more than capable of doing a solid job.
Swansea could do with an experienced head in defence to steer them through pressurised situations and the centre-back, who has earned 40 caps for England, could be that man. He would also act as a great mentor for young talent Alfie Mawson. Jagielka might be tempted by the idea of a new challenge in the autumn of his career and the prospect of regular football.