Swansea’s annual Bosman bargain hunt picks out Everton defender

Having guided Swansea to their second highest league finishing position in their history, Garry Monk has set his sights on his first summer signing in the form of Everton full-back Luke Garbutt.

The England under-21 international is out of contract in the summer and according to the Liverpool Echo, the Swans are one of two clubs to have offered him a deal.

With four Premier League and five Europa League appearances to his name this season, the youngster may well have not yet reached his full potential, but does have experience at mixing it with the best of them.

Leighton Baines’ injury had meant that Garbutt was expected to step in for the Toffees’ final two games of the campaign, but he was instead looked over in favour of Brendan Galloway.

His desire for first-team football will have alerted the likes of Monk and Swansea, and it appears they will have to move fast with competitors circling.

The full-back position at the Liberty Stadium is one that could do with reinforcements, with Dwight Tiendalli falling out of favour and his tenure at the club likely to come to an end soon.

Neil Taylor saw his injury woes that blighted him in 2012-13 and 2013-14 somewhat put to bed this season, with 34 Premier League appearances, but competition is necessary in the Swans ranks.

And in the form of free transfer Garbutt, the Swansea hierarchy will be licking their lips at the type of signing that has done well for them in the top-flight.

Lukasz Fabianski arrived in south Wales for nothing at the start of the last campaign, and proved to be one of the most consistent stoppers in the division.

Bafetimbi Gomis, while he took some time to find his shooting boots, came good at the end of the season, netting five in his last six matches.

Even before this season, the likes of Jose Canás and Gerhard Tremmel have provided the Glamorgan outfit with some very useful squad options in the form of Bosman signings.

And now Luke Garbutt looks likely to be the next in line to arrive at the Liberty for nothing, with a crack at the Europa League places likely to be the 2015-16 target.

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