The Swans boss admits he’s interested in the left-back, with reports in Germany claiming a move is now close

Swansea City boss Michael Duff has confirmed interest in Cologne star Kristian Pedersen, amid reports in Germany that the Dane is closing in on a move to South Wales.

The 29-year-old has long been mentioned as a possible target for the Swans, with Michael Duff eager to further strengthen his left-sided options this summer, despite the arrival of Dutchman Nathan Tjoe-A-On. You can get all the latest Swansea City transfer news sent straight to your inbox for free with our daily newsletter here.

A number of players have been assessed in recent weeks, including Josh Tymon, Alex Bangura, Sam McCallum and Luke Chambers.

However, reports in Germany have now suggested it’s Pedersen who could now be poised to join before Friday night’s deadline.

Duff refused to be drawn on suggestions a move could be close, but did appear to confirm that the former Birmingham City man was an option being looked at.

“He’s a left-footed defender, so there’s probably one of quite a few I’ve had a conversation with,” he said. “I’m not going to go into specifics, because a) I’ll bore the life out of you and b) I’ll bore the life out of myself.

“I’ve had lots and lots of conversations. He’s a player we’re aware of, yeah.”

Duff is hoping his side will be active in the final 24 hours of the transfer window, with the club also still in the hunt for a centre-back and striker.

“Three hopefully,” he said. “Whether it comes through or not we’ll wait and see. It won’t be through a lack of trying. It’s ifs, buts and maybes at the minute. It sounds like I’m talking in riddles because I can’t really give you the answers you want at the moment.”

 

 

 

The Bluebirds and Swans are each keen on Panzo

Welsh rivals Cardiff City and Swansea City are battling it out for highly-rated Nottingham Forest defender Jonathan Panzo, Wales Online can reveal.

The Bluebirds have held advanced talks with the 22-year-old centre-half and hope to get a loan deal over the line before the closure of the summer transfer window.

But Swansea have also expressed an interest in landing the England Under-21 ace. The Swans have the advantage of being able to pay a transfer fee, which is something Cardiff can’t do because the the EFL embargo they have been placed under this summer.

However, Panzo himself is understood to be veering towards a move to Cardiff and has been hugely impressed by the vision shown by Bluebirds boss Erol Bulut.

It remains to be seen how the situation plays out over the course of the next 24 hours, with the window closing at 11pm on Friday.

Cardiff and Swansea each need to bolster their centre-half options.

The Bluebirds have parted company with Jack Simpson, who was signed by Steve Morison but clearly does not fit into Bulut’s plans. He was badly at fault with Leicester’s winning goal versus the Bluebirds recently.

If they miss out on Panzo because of the fee issue, Cardiff have two other options up their sleeve. They are understood to want a quick decision because Bulut needs another defensive body in the building before the window closes.

Swansea will also need to bolster their centre-back options if Nathan Wood leaves to join Southampton. The Swans’ former boss Russell Martin, who is in charge at the south coast club, has made two offers for Wood, but Swansea feel their valuation for the player has yet to be met.

They are entitled to bring in as many loan players as they want, but only five can be named in a match-day squad.

If Panzo and Moore do join, they will be two of those players, with goalkeeper Runar Runarsson a third. It would leave Josh Bowler, Karlan Grant and Ike Ugbo having to fight it out for the other two spots, but as injuries and suspensions bite the situation may take care of itself anyway.

Panzo spent a highly successful year on loan at Coventry last season.