No Swansea return for Rodgers as Guidolin gets the gig

Swansea have thrown most people a curveball this week with the announcement that Francesco Guidolin has signed a new two-year deal, ending speculation over a return for former boss Brendan Rodgers.

The Northern Irishman had been tipped for a Welsh return ever since his departure from Liverpool in the autumn, but the Swans board have handed Guidolin an extension.

Chairman Huw Jenkins had made clear that summer preparations revolved around completing a deal for a permanent manager before any transfer activity could begin.

But after steering Swansea clear away from relegation in the second half of the campaign, Guidolin has been handed the reins and can begin building for next term.

It’s believed the 60-year-old will have access to a sizeable fund with which to tackle the market, and one such target repeatedly linked with Swansea is old favourite Wilfried Bony.

Swansea sold Bony to Manchester City for £24m in January last year, and plenty of reports suggest the Liberty Stadium outfit might reinvest that windfall to bring the Ivory Coast striker back.

Bony has failed to step up at the Etihad, even in Sergio Aguero’s extended absence earlier this year, and with Pep Guardiola set to overhaul the squad upon his arrival, it seem increasingly likely the striker’s days in Manchester are numbered.

One man who does seem very likely to be heading for the Liberty Stadium player is Hal Robson-Kanu.

The winger is available on a free from Reading this summer, and it would mark the first time the Wales international has played for a Welsh club.

Striker Eder looks destined to end his dismal spell with the club by moving to France in the off-season, freeing up space for QPR forward Junior Hoilett, again to join on a free.

But with Guidolin’s deal now agreed, you can expect the Swans to truly ramp up their transfer pursuits this summer.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.