By David Williams
Ollie Cooper vowed to lock up Swansea City stars Joel Piroe and Matt Grimes amid fierce transfer interest in the duo.
Captain Grimes has been a mainstay for Swansea since they were relegated from the Premier League in 2018.
Southampton boss Russell Martin – who managed Grimes in his two seasons at Swansea – is among those to explore the option of signing the central midfielder.
But he is now poised to sign a new deal with the Swans.
Piroe has racked up 46 goals in 96 outings since joining the Swans from PSV Eindhoven in 2021.
ποΈ Ollie Cooper is speaking to the press this afternoon.
Updates to follow… pic.twitter.com/22uWwHrD8i
— Swansea City AFC (@SwansOfficial) August 17, 2023
But he is now in the final year of his contract with the Welsh side and has attracted interest from the likes of Leeds, Leicester, Atalanta and Sheffield United.
And Swans ace Cooper knows the club will be far stronger for keeping hold of the key duo beyond transfer deadline day.
“If we end this window and we’ve still got both of those players plus the players we’ve brought in, we’ll all be very happy,” said the 23-year-old.
“I think we’re trying to lock both players away so they can’t go anywhere.
“But it’s the reality of football, teams are going to put offers in.
“They’re two very influential and important players. Both of them can dictate and change a game, so of course clubs are going to be interested, why wouldn’t they?
“If they go, we’ve got to deal with that and players will have to try and fill in those roles and step up, but hopefully they’re still here come the end.”
The Swans are looking for their first Championship win of the season against Coventry this afternoon.
Michael Duff has no fresh injury concerns following his side’s 3-2 defeat to West Brom last time out.
This Swansea flag for their trip to West Brom today about their player Ollie Cooper.
Nice play on wordsβ¦ ππ€£ #SwansFC pic.twitter.com/ItxKYBICrm
— Football Away Days (@FBAwayDays) August 12, 2023
New signing Nathan Tjoe-A-On is not yet match fit following his move from Dutch side Excelsior while midfielder Liam Walsh and goalkeeper Steven Benda remain sidelined.
As for the Sky Blues, they are seeking back-to-back wins after thumping Middlesbrough 3-0 last weekend.
Mark Robins is set to be without Fabio Tavares, Jamie Allen and Callum O’Hare for the trip to the Swansea.com Stadium.
On Fri, Aug 18, 2023 at 10:52β―AM Ian Mitchelmore <ianmitchelmore1@gmail.com> wrote:
Ollie Cooper plans to lock up Swansea stars Joel Piroe and Matt Grimes amid fierce transfer interest in the duo.
Piroe has racked up 46 goals in 96 outings since joining the Swans from PSV Eindhoven in 2021.
But he is now in the final year of his contract with the Welsh side and has attracted interest from the likes of Leeds, Leicester, Atalanta and Sheffield United.
Captain Matt Grimes has put pen to paper on a two-year contract extension through to the end of June 2027 π€π€
— Swansea City AFC (@SwansOfficial) August 18, 2023
Captain Grimes has also been a mainstay for Swansea since they were relegated from the Premier League in 2018.
Southampton boss Russell Martin – who managed Grimes in his two seasons at Swansea – is among those to explore the option of signing the central midfielder.
And Swans ace Cooper knows the club will be far stronger for keeping hold of the key duo beyond transfer deadline day.
“If we end this window and we’ve still got both of those players plus the players we’ve brought in, we’ll all be very happy,” said the 23-year-old.
“I think we’re trying to lock both players away so they can’t go anywhere.
“But it’s the reality of football, teams are going to put offers in.
“They’re two very influential and important players. Both of them can dictate and change a game, so of course clubs are going to be interested, why wouldn’t they?
“If they go, we’ve got to deal with that and players will have to try and fill in those roles and step up, but hopefully they’re still here come the end.”
βοΈ ππππΏπΌπ πππππππ
Swansea City fans, in one word, tell us how you feel about Matt Grimes signing a new contract until 2027
Weβll go first: Ecstatic π pic.twitter.com/mU3EwBubQj
— Only Swans (@onlyswanss) August 18, 2023
The Swans are looking for their first Championship win of the season against Coventry this afternoon.
Michael Duff has no fresh injury concerns following his side’s 3-2 defeat to West Brom last time out.
New signing Nathan Tjoe-A-On is not yet match fit following his move from Dutch side Excelsior while midfielder Liam Walsh and goalkeeper Steven Benda remain sidelined.
As for the Sky Blues, they are seeking back-to-back wins after thumping Middlesbrough 3-0 last weekend.
Mark Robins is set to be without Fabio Tavares, Jamie Allen and Callum O’Hare for the trip to the Swansea.com Stadium.
As we get set to host Coventry City at the https://t.co/3tesyKVBTV Stadium, we take a closer look at the Sky Blues π
— Swansea City AFC (@SwansOfficial) August 18, 2023