Swansea city's pursuit of euro star hits snag as transfer interest confirmed

THE CLUB ARE UNDERSTOOD TO BE IN THE MARKET FOR ADDITIONS IN A KEY AREA 15:51, 03 Jun 2025 Swansea City could well miss out on a move for FC Sion centre-back Gora Diouf due to post-Brexit

rules. Sources on the continent have confirmed to WalesOnline that the Swans are one of several Championship sides keeping tabs on the 21-year-old defender, while Swiss giants FC Basel are

also believed to be interested. It's understood Swansea haven't yet firmed up their interest with an offer at this stage. Indeed, none of the defender's growing list of

admirers appear to have made a move yet, but the player's future remains uncertain given he's coming to the end of his current contract. _Sign up to the Swansea City WhatsApp

service to get breaking news and top stories sent to your phone_ The prospect of a move to these shores, however, has been described as 'complicated' by one source, amid concerns

over the player's ability to be granted a work permit under post-Brexit rules. Under the current guidelines, all foreign players wishing to play in the UK require a work permit before

any transfer can be completed, and those permits are allocated using a points system. Points are earned by players through club appearances, international appearances and the quality of the

selling club based on the league they play in, as well as their league position and progress in continental competition. Article continues below Players need 15 points to qualify, and

it's not known just how many Diouf has amassed at this stage. Diouf has so far played 38 games for Sion, and hasn't yet made a single appearance for Senegal. Whether those figures

are enough for him to move to the UK isn't yet clear, but the fact it hasn't been ruled out at this stage suggests Swansea and others may well feel a move is still possible.

Indeed, authorities can grant special exceptions to players who fall just short of the necessary threshold, although that decision is at the discretion of an official panel. Interestingly,

the possibility of signing a new deal at Sion, while still considered unlikely, hasn't been categorically ruled out. Swansea are certainly likely to be in the market for a centre-back

this summer, regardless of what happens with Harry Darling, who's still pondering an improved contract offer from the club, while Wrexham and Birmingham City are also believed to be

keeping tabs on the situation. Sign up to our Swansea City newsletter here. Even if Darling decides to stay, Hannes Delcroix's return to parent club Burnley, and the departure of Kyle

Naughton means Swansea are still in need of options at the heart of their defence next season, with Ben Cabango currently the only other recognised centre-half in the senior squad. It's

understood the offer from the Swans is among the better deals on the table, and there is still some hope that he can be persuaded to stay. However, clearly Swansea's confidence in

tying the defender down is waning with each passing day, and the decision will ultimately come down to the player himself. Article continues below In terms of other options, Ricardo Santos

has been mentioned by reports elsewhere. The 29-year-old is a free agent after leaving Bolton Wanderers, and the Swans have been touted as possible suitors, although suggestions of a

contract offer have been played down by club sources at this stage