Swansea City are reportedly eyeing a move for West Bromwich Albion’s Nacer Chadli as their pursuit of La Liga’s Jonathan Viera is increasingly likely to end in despair. The South Wales club is in dire in of an attacking midfielder with Gylfi Sigurdsson’s availability a huge doubt next season and Chadli could be an interesting option.
The Swans could ensure their survival only on the second last week of the Premier League after Hull City’s shocking defeat against Sunderland in the dying stages. Paul Clement’s side had spent most of the time rubbing shoulders with relegation before a late surge in performance by Fernando Llorente and Sigurdsson took them to shore.
Chadli’s relation with manager Tony Pulis has been quite questionable. The Belgian international had reportedly declined to travel with the Baggies for their training regime to Austria after he had disagreed with the manager over the exhausting nature of the work the squad was to undertake there. He was present in West Bromwich Albion’s squad for the Premier League Asia Trophy though, where he played as a substitute against Leicester City and Crystal Palace.
To top that, Pulis’ conservative style of play, which allows a little window of opportunity for attackers to express themselves has also been a hindrance in Chadli’s career. Although the forward has seen more playing time at Hawthorns than at White Hart Lane, he hardly managed to get the effect he wants to impose on the side’s play.
He could manage just five goals and five assists throughout the season. And although the Baggies are dead against selling him, reports claim that they will let him go only for a fee more than the £13 million that Spurs took to let him go last summer.
An attacking midfielder by nature, Pulis has used Chadli in numerous positions in the attacking third last season. He has played as a left wing, a right wing, a central midfield, a forward, a number 10 and more, which makes him all the more interesting for Clement. Though tackling and aerial duels remain his weak link, Chadli is known for his sublime finishing from in and around the box.
Everton have edged dangerously close to land Swansea’s star Sigurdsson over the last few weeks and while Clement was banking on a sure move for Las Palmas’ Viera, it is reportedly as good as dead now. The Spanish club is unwilling to let go of their best player last season and has demanded nothing less than his release clause of €30 million to let him go. Swansea, however, have suggested €25 million.
Chadli could come for far lesser and if Sigurdsson’s sale goes through, Swansea would have enough money to facilitate the deal.
