Former Lincoln City goalkeeper Carl Rushworth is in advanced talks to join Championship side Swansea City on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion, according to TEAMtalk.
With Steven Benda sidelined through injury and Andy Fisher being the only first-team goalkeeper available, the Swans are in the hunt for a new man between the sticks.
Despite having never made a competitive appearance for Brighton & Hove Albion in his four years on the south coast, Rushworth excelled on loan at Walsall and most recently Lincoln City.
The 22-year-old is coming into the new campaign fresh off the back of winning the European Under-21 Championship with England, despite not featuring for the Young Lions during the tournament.
Rushworth travelled to the United States with Roberto De Zerbi’s side but will likely return to complete his move to the Welsh team.
Can Rushworth Handle The Pressure?
Having joined the Seagulls at the beginning of 2019, Rushworth’s career has seen a positive trajectory of loan stints, beginning at Worthing in the seventh tier of English football, before making the leap to Walsall in League Two. Last season, the young shot-stopper played in every league game for Lincoln in League One.
Rushworth has proven himself capable of adapting to higher levels of quality but now the Championship poses an even greater challenge for him.
The Halifax Town academy product has had eyes on him from a young age. The Mirror reported that Barcelona had sent scouts to watch the then-teenager in action during his spell in the Isthmian League Premier Division.
The outlet claimed that La Blaugrana were weighing up a £4 million move at the time.
Writer’s View
Another loan move for Rushworth makes sense for all parties. Brighton have just secured the services of the highly-rated Belgian goalkeeper Bart Verburggen and still have both Robert Sanchez and Jason Steele in the squad.
Despite his talent, it is unlikely that Rushworth would receive minutes staying with the Premier League outfit and so another spell away from the club could prove beneficial to his development.
Rushworth is excellent with the ball at his feet and should suit Duff’s style of play perfectly, although there will be healthy competition awaiting him at the Swansea.com Stadium with Fisher and a returning Benda.
