Michu signs new deal at Swansea

Forward Michu has signed a new deal at Swansea City that will keep him at the club until the end of 2016.



The Spaniard, who has scored 16 goals in 28 games so far for the Premier League side, has put pen-to-paper on an improved deal that is effectively a one-year extension of his previous contract.



"It was an easy decision for me,'' Michu told the club's official website. "I am living a dream here at Swansea.



"I'm probably enjoying my football more than ever. It's easy to play with this team and tonight I have the chance to reach the first final of my career.



"I'm really happy here in the city with the people, the club and the fans. Everyone has been so nice to me since I arrived.



"I think the club are happy with me because they have given me a new contract. I am certainly happy with the club.''

Swansea close in on Roland Lamah

Spanish newspaper AS is reporting that Swansea are in talks with Osasuna midfielder Roland Lamah.



Rather than resting on their laurels following a bright start to the season, Swansea officials are looking for ways to further reinforcing the squad.



With both Michu and Danny Graham linked with January exit, the Swans are keen to add few more players to their ranks during the winter transfer window.



According to AS, the Premier League side are closing in on Osasuna midfielder Roland Lamah.



The same source claims the player has been given permission by his club to negotiate personal terms with Swansea, with the transfer set to be completed in the coming days.



Lamah, 25, joined Osasuna from Le Mans in the summer of 2011 and quickly established himself as a first team regular.



The Belgian has made a total of 45 La Liga appearances for the club, and scored 3 goals.

Michu happy at Swansea

Swansea forward Michu has rubbished speculation linking him with a move away from the club, insisting he is happy in Wales.



Michu has made a huge impact since moving from Rayo Vallecano in the summer, scoring 12 Premier League goals.



His form has seen him linked with a possible quick-fire move in January, with Atletico Madrid one of the clubs mentioned but the 26-year-old insists he is not thinking about leaving the Liberty Stadium.



"Right now I'm happy, playing almost every minute and I'm very happy," he told Radio Marca.



"It is always nice that you get talked about with teams like Atletico Madrid, one of the largest in Spain, but now I am very happy in Swansea."



It has even been suggested that, with the likes of Fernando Llorente and Fernando Torres struggling for form in recent months, Michu could be in line for a Spanish call-up and Vicente del Bosque admitted this week he was looking at him given his goalscoring record.



"If that call comes, fine, and if not, then I just stay the same," he insisted.



"By now to have 12 goals is great, but above all I am enjoying what I am doing in Swansea. But here you have to battle as nobody gives you anything."



Swansea play Middlesbrough in the Capital One Cup on Wednesday and he admits he would love to play at Wembley.



He added: "Why can we not be there at the end? Hopefully, it would be nice to be at Wembley."

New Swansea deal for Davies

Teenage Swansea City defender Ben Davies has signed a new three-and-half-year contract with the Premier League club.



The 19-year-old left-back had 18 months left on his existing deal, but Swansea was keen to tie him to a long-term contract after impressing so far this season.



Davies was thrust into the first team after Neil Taylor suffered a broken ankle against Sunderland at the start of September, and his form was rewarded with his inclusion in Chris Coleman's Wales side for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Scotland and Croatia.



Davies told the club website: "I'm delighted to have signed a new deal here.



"It shows the faith the club has in me and I've been rewarded for my performances so far."



The Neath product has come up through the academy system with the Swans, and is looking forward to continuing his development at the Liberty Stadium after committing until June 2016.



He said: "It is more security for me and that will allow me to keep working as hard as possible to continue my development here.



"I have already learned a lot from not only playing, but by working hard in training with the manager, coaching staff and team-mates and taking as much advice as possible from them.



"It's a great time to be at Swansea City - whether you are a player or supporter - and I'm delighted to be a part of it."

Six miss Swansea visit

Manchester City playmaker David Silva is one of six players absent as Swansea visit the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

Silva continues to struggle with the hamstring injury which has kept him out for the past two games while defenders Pablo Zabaleta (hamstring) and Maicon (foot), midfielders Javi Garcia (thigh) and Jack Rodwell (hamstring) are also missing.

Another midfielder, James Milner, also sits out through suspension after his sending-off at West Brom last weekend.

Swansea boss Michael Laudrup has no fresh injury concerns when he takes his team to Manchester City.

Laudrup could shift midfielder Michu in attack again after he claimed his sixth goal of the season when employed as a striker in the win over Wigan, but Danny Graham is an option as well.



Midfielders Pablo Hernandez and in-form Wayne Routledge look set to keep Nathan Dyer on the bench, but Swansea have no serious injury problems

Swansea expect healthy profit

Swansea City are set to announce a £14.6million profit from their debut season in the Premier League.

The club, which finished 11th in the top flight last season, had a turnover of £65.2million for the year ending May 31, 2012, according to a statement on the club's official website.



The strong set of figures showed the Swans received £5million in compensation payments from Liverpool for the departure of manager Brendan Rodgers and his staff, with the club in the black despite increased operating costs and higher wage bill as a result of their promotion to the Premier League.



The statement said: "The directors' review of the business is set to reveal a turnover of £65.2million, which aptly demonstrates the reward of achieving Premier League status, and a net profit after taxation of £14.6million despite operating costs, particularly wages, being double those of the previous year.



"The net profit, which was boosted by the £5million received from Liverpool for the loss of management staff, more than counteracts the net loss of £8.3million incurred as a result of the cost of the promotion push in the previous financial year.



"The directors will reiterate their resolve to continue to manage budgets which should produce a level of profit capable of generating sufficient cash to fund future growth and capital investment plans."



The statement also revealed the future strategy of the club directors, which could include redevelopment of the Liberty Stadium.



It said: "Work is well under way on the £2.5million Landore training ground development and the creation of a partnership with Swansea University which involves the acquisition of a long-term lease of the playing fields at Fairwood, which will result in a first-class training complex befitting a Premier League club.



"Plans to increase the capacity of the Liberty Stadium are already being discussed with the idea of a phased development over a two-year period when the timing is right."

Swansea: Allen will cost Liverpool more than £20million.

Swansea City manager Michael Laudrup has insisted that Joe Allen will be 'very, very expensive' and should cost Liverpool more than £20million.

The 22-year-old has already been the subject of a bid from former Swans boss Brendan Rodgers - who is now in charge at Anfield.



Laudrup, though, has pointed to the fact that Liverpool spent £17million on Jordan Henderson last summer, and he feels that Allen should cost more.



"He is worth a lot of money because he's a good player," said Laudrup.



"The manager knows him and knows if he wants to change the way Liverpool play he needs a player in the midfield like Joe Allen.



"But he also knows he's very, very expensive. We saw they bought a couple of midfielders in the last few years for a lot of money, but with all due respect Joe is on a level above.



"In my opinion, if one is worth £17m then Joe is worth more, perhaps over £20million. I'm talking as a football man not as a chairman but if the chairman asks my advice then I will tell him the same."



It is understood the offer Swansea rejected last month included Jonjo Shelvey moving on a season-long loan to the Liberty.



But Laudrup says he will not accept an offer that includes a player not considered first-choice at Anfield.



When asked about the possibility of an exchange, he said: "If we could have (Luis) Suarez ... We have good players here and they have good players, but I can't see a player not in the starting 11 at Liverpool being in the starting 11 in our team.



"They might want to do it because they can pay less money."



While Allen continues to be linked with Liverpool, Laudrup is still looking to strengthen his squad, and the Dane says he is closing in on two more additions, believed to be a striker and a winger.



"One is quite close but the other one is more difficult," he said.



"But I hope he will be an important player for us. He is playing at quite a big club so it's not that easy. They are both offensive players. One can defend as well.



"We are also working on other alternatives."

Swans frustrated by Reds' interest in Joe Allen

Swansea have insisted they are disappointed with Liverpool's pursuit of midfielder Joe Allen.



Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, who made the switch from the Liberty Stadium to Anfield to replace Kenny Dalglish this summer, confirmed his interest in the Wales international last week.



Allen signed a four-year deal with Swansea last year but Rodgers is keen to bring him to the north-west of England.



And the south Wales club are disappointed, claiming Liverpool agreed not to make approaches for Swans players until next year.



A club spokesman said: "Swansea can confirm that Liverpool have expressed an interest in Joe Allen, despite a written agreement with Liverpool not to approach any players within the 12-month period of former manager Brendan Rodgers leaving for Anfield."



The spokesman continued on www.swanseacity.net: "There has also been interest from other clubs regarding his possible availability and the club is due to speak to Joe, as originally planned, about the situation when he returns from GB (Olympic) duty.



"The club is not prepared to release any details on whether any formal bids have been made at this stage or details of Joe's contract, which are private and confidential.



"The club is extremely disappointed that speculation regarding certain aspects of his contract have been released to the media by parties outside the club."



Swansea, who finished three places and five points adrift of eighth-placed Liverpool in the Barclays Premier League, are keen to keep their current players.



The spokesman added: "Fortunately the club is in a financial position where it does not need to sell any of its players and will continue to work in the best interests of its supporters, who are our priority, and the club to provide new manager Michael Laudrup with the best opportunity to be successful in the forthcoming Premier League campaign."



Rodgers last week said: "I have a great relationship with Swansea but if there is a market for any of the players, I would like to be in that market.



"They respect that. He is a very talented player, which everyone knows but there is nothing more at the moment. When players come to a club such as Liverpool, it's never straightforward.



"There are always other barriers and difficulties. At this moment, there are ongoing negotiations on a few targets.



"We hope we're close to some deals. I need to evaluate the players we have and assess the squad and bring some in to bring freshness to the group.



"As a manager you want them in sooner rather than later but the main thing is to get them in before the beginning of the season. If we do that, our job will be done."

Swansea sign Flores from Genoa

Swansea City have announced the signing of Jose Manuel Flores from Genoa for a fee of two million pounds, plus potential add-ons.



The Spanish defender completed a medical on Monday and put pen to paper on a three-year deal with the English Premier League side subject to international clearance.



"I'm very happy to be here,'' Flores told the club's website. "I know I am joining a club that has been growing over the last few years and is still ambitious to go even higher.



"Having played in La Liga and Serie A, two great leagues, it's a dream come true to play in the Premier League, one of the best, if not the best, in the world.''



Flores, also known by many as 'Chico', said new Swansea boss Michael Laudrup played a key role in persuading him to leave Genoa and join the Welsh club, having played under him at Mallorca previously.



"He was one of the main reasons I signed,'' Flores said. "He knows me as a person and a player, so I was honoured when the call came.



"I believe the manager will be good for Swansea and they have done extremely well to get him. Swansea's way of playing is the same style as he wants to play the game. He is the right person to take this club forward.



"Being brought up in Spain, I have the same culture of possession and passing football. I like to play from the back, come forward with the ball, and add to the possession game.



"I'm really looking forward to it. I have been studying Swansea on the internet and I know I am joining a club with passionate supporters who are very close to the players.''



Flores began his career as a youth team player with his hometown club, Cadiz CF, in 2005.



Since then, he has gone on to have loan spells with Racing Club and Barcelona B, while moving on permanently to Almeria and then Genoa.



It was with Genoa that he decided to go out on loan to Mallorca to link up with Laudrup, making 33 appearances under the Danish manager.

Krohn-Dehli eyes Swans deal

Brondby winger Michael Krohn-Dehli has admitted he would like to link up with Michael Laudrup as Swansea continue to track the player.



Laudrup is keen to make new additions to the Swansea squad after taking over from Brendan Rodgers and Krohn-Dehl is a player who has been strongly linked with a move to the Liberty Stadium.



The 29-year-old impressed for Denmark at Euro 2012, particularly in the victory over Holland, and is now hoping his performances will have convinced Laudrup to make a move for him.



The winger still has 12 months to run on his current deal but would jump at the chance of a move to Swansea if Laudrup followed up his interest with an offer.



"Everyone knows how Laudrup wants to play his football and his style is something that would fit me well. But, it is hard for me to relate to the speculation of rumours," he said.



"I'm not picky and the transfer window is open for a long time, so anything can happen. I'm ambitious and want to succeed in playing abroad."

Liverpool Boss Brendan Rodgers Reiterates Gylfi Sigurdsson Desire

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has reiterated that he will be interested in signing Icelandic midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson if his former club Swansea cannot close a deal.



Sigurdsson was on loan with Swansea last season from German outfit Hoffenheim and the Welsh side are in pole position to snap up the 22-year-old, who turned in a number of impressive performances under Rodgers when he joined the club in January.



Rodgers has since left Swansea for Anfield, and has taken his appreciation of Sigurdsson with him, though he accepts his former team must have first crack at taking the Iceland star on a permanent basis.



If that does not happen though, Rodgers is more than ready to pounce.



"I took him on loan for the second half of last season and he did very, very well. He scored seven goals and made a real, positive contribution", Rodgers told Liverpool’s official site.



"I wanted to sign him for Swansea but, like I’ve said to him and his representatives, that has to be his first port of call.



"If he comes into the market for whatever reason – and I’m sure there’ll be a number of clubs interested in Gylfi – then of course I would like to be in a position to put our case here at Liverpool to sign him.



"But I’ve always said, I think he’s a player Swansea have had an agreement with and they have to have every chance to try and sign him. That’s only right."



While all eyes are on Euro 2012, Rodgers is quietly going about his business with Liverpool and drawing up his list of summer transfer targets.



Estimates of how much the Northern Irishman has been handed to spend by the club’s owners vary, but it is thought to be a figure north of £30M, with any proceeds from player sales being added on top of that.

Laudrup named as Swansea boss

Swansea City have appointed Michael Laudrup as their new manager, ending the search for a replacement for Brendan Rogers, who left the Liberty Stadium for Liverpool in May.



Laudrup, 48, had been strongly linked with the vacancy in recent days and reportedly impressed the Swansea board in a series of meetings.



He has managed at Brondby, Getafe, Spartak Moscow and Real Mallorca and had spoken of his desire to take up the challenge of bossing a Premier League club.



Swansea finished in 11th place in their first season in the top flight after Rogers had guided them to promotion in a thrilling play-off final against Reading at Wembley.



Ex-Swans manager Jan Molby believes his Danish compatriot is the perfect fit at the Liberty Stadium, with a managerial philosophy that suits the club's widely-praised passing style.



"He was strongly influenced by Johan Cruyff when he was at Barcelona in the late 1980s and early 1990s,'' Molby told BBC Sport Wales.