Middlesbrough are rumoured to be interested in a deal for West Bromwich Albion midfielder John Swift, according to reports.
Football Insider are reporting that Boro have registered interest in the Baggies midfielder, whereas the Northern Echo are stating that Swift is being considered on Teesside but that a move is not actively being pursued.
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The 29-year-old is entering the final year of his deal at The Hawthorns and his club are said to be looking to cash in rather than lose a player on a free, even if that involves selling to a rival such as Middlesbrough. In addition to this, Albion owner Shilen Patel has said the club need to be careful financially this summer, with the Baggies no longer receiving Premier League parachute payments following their relegation in 2021.
A deal may therefore make sense, with the club needing to bring money in before they can invest in the squad, so sales may be needed. With the midfielder being valued at £3.2 million by Transfermarkt and having 299 Championship appearances to his name, he may be one of the main candidates for a move.
Swift moved to the Midlands on a free from Reading in 2022 after making 202 appearances for the Royals following his move from first club Chelsea in 2016. He made a single appearance at Stamford Bridge, spending time on loan at Rotherham United, Swindon Town and Brentford before making the switch to Berkshire.
The Portsmouth-born midfielder has gone on to make 89 appearances for his current club and may feel now is time for a change after finding himself used as more of a substitute than a starter last season. Given the player’s contract situation and experience, more interest may crop up so a move to Boro may not materialise. If it does, though, the Teesside outfit will have to act quickly.
Writer’s View
Swift would be a good signing for Boro and would likely come fairly cheap with bags of experience. He’d also probably start at the Riverside Stadium, so a new challenge may appeal as he finds himself in a less significant role at West Brom under Carlos Corberan. For the Baggies, they need all the money they can get after several years in the second tier, so any funds from selling Swift could give them a hand in attempting to return to the top-flight.
