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Kyle Bartley Set To Complete Swans Exit

Kyle Bartley is expected to complete a £4m move from Swansea City to Championship rivals West Brom this weekend.

The Swans centre-back has been a peripheral figure at the Liberty Stadium in recent times due to injury and selection choices and has opted to leave.

New manager Graham Potter has decided to cash in, although Federico Fernandez could also be allowed to move on, meaning the recruitment of a new central defender is likely.

Potter may also have to make plans to do without Alfie Mawson, although the £20m-rated defender is currently recovering following a knee operation.

Bartley made only 10 appearances last season and was forced to undergo surgery in September after suffering medial ligament damage.

In all, he has made just 38 appearances for the club since a £1m move from Arsenal in 2012. The 27-year-old is now set to join the Baggies after six seasons at the Liberty Stadium.

While Bartley prepares to leave, Swansea are close to completing the £2m signing of Joel Asoro from Sunderland.

The 19-year-old winger made 29 appearances last season as the Black Cats were relegated to League One.

Sweden striker Asoro – who scored three goals last season – had one year left on his deal at the Stadium of Light but rejected a new contract offer.

Asoro joined Sunderland from Swedish side IF Brommapojkarna in 2015 and Potter knows the player from his time managing Ostersunds.

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The 19-year-old from Stockholm will become Potter’s second signing since taking over at Swansea, following the arrival of former Real Madrid defender Jordi Govea.

Swans striker Oli McBurnie has spoken of his ambition to repay the club for their faith in him after signing a new three-year contract.

McBurnie went out on loan to Barnsley last season and despite being part of a struggling Tykes side, scored nine times in 17 Championship appearances.

His efforts at Oakwell prompted talk that McBurnie could be a target for a number of clubs, but the 22-year-old’s first choice was always to stay.

“There have been a lot of reports, but my plan was always to come back after the loan at Barnsley. I wanted to get games there and then come back here,” McBurnie said.

“I went away with Scotland in the summer and again the idea was to come back here and speak with Swansea about what role they saw me playing. If we were on the same page it was always going to be sorted.

“I think it’s three years almost to the day that I first signed and I have loved my time here.

“It’s a family club. I have been so well taken care of since I joined.

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“You walk down the street and everyone is happy to see you. It’s a really good place for me to be in and I am thankful I will be here for the next three years minimum.

“Swansea gave me a chance at a difficult time in my career. I have had glimpses of what I want much more of and hopefully with this contract sorted, that’s what I’ll get.”

 

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