Swansea City have shown positive signs of development under Vitor Matos as they aim to distance themselves from the relegation scrap. The Swans currently occupy 17th place in the Championship, maintaining an eight-point cushion above the bottom three while sitting nine points off the play-off spots.
That upturn under Matos will need to be reinforced in the January transfer window, however. A number of potential targets have been linked with the Swans, but their first addition appears to have flown somewhat under the radar.
According to BBC Sport Wales, Swansea City are preparing to confirm the arrival of Joel Ward on a free transfer. The 36-year-old has been without a club since being released by Crystal Palace in the summer.
Ward spent over a decade at Palace after joining in 2012 and was a vital figure during a period in which the club established themselves as a Premier League outfit.
Joel Ward’s last Championship spell:
Swansea City will be hopeful Ward can replicate the impact he made during his previous time in the second tier. He has not featured in the Championship since his debut season with Crystal Palace back in 2012/13.
Palace secured promotion that campaign via the play-offs. Ward began to establish himself at Selhurst Park, making 25 appearances, before cementing his place in the Premier League squad the following season.
Prior to his move to Palace, Ward already had extensive Championship experience. He featured 86 times for Portsmouth in the division across two full seasons before making the switch.
Swansea City have now been absent from the Premier League for eight years following the conclusion of their seven-year stay in the top flight. Given their first-half struggles this season, promotion may seem distant, but in such a tightly contested Championship, nothing can be completely ruled out.
Could he be joined by a former Crystal Palace teammate?
Ward’s reported arrival has come as something of a surprise for the Swans. However, another familiar name from his Palace days has also been generating plenty of discussion.
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi has been strongly linked with a move to Swansea this month. Palace winger Romain Esse was also mentioned as a possible target, but following his switch to Coventry City, Rak-Sakyi could now emerge as the primary option.
Strengthening out wide is clearly a priority for the Swans, with Gabriel Silva also believed to be on their shortlist. Ward’s arrival could potentially provide Rak-Sakyi with extra motivation to make the move to south Wales.