The technically-gifted Gylfi Sigurdsson, a set-piece specialist, will be in demand this summer after making a great impact in his first taste of English Premier League football. By Pete Thompson.
Brendan Rodgers has pulled off many masterstrokes since being appointed Swansea manager and the signing of Gylfi Sigurdsson is undoubtedly the latest. Iceland midfielder Sigurdsson joined the Swans on loan from Hoffenheim in January after falling out of favour with the German club.
Rodgers knew all about the 22-year-old's talents, having managed him during his time as Reading boss. And the former Royals midfielder has demonstrated why Rodgers was so eager to take him to the Liberty Stadium, scoring three goals in his first seven appearances for the Welsh side.
Sigurdsson cost Hoffenheim GBP6.5 million when they lured him from Reading after he caught the eye with some outstanding performances for the English Championship club.
The technically-gifted Sigurdsson, a set-piece specialist, will be in demand this summer after making such a great impact in his first taste of Barclays English Premier League football.
And Rodgers hopes the Swans can push the boat out in a bid to sign Sigurdsson in a permanent deal at the end of the season.
The Swansea boss said: “It's something we will look at. I'm sure he will cost a lot of money. Whether we have that money or not is another factor. He's got a great attacking instinct, and when you're putting teams together those are the different dynamics you're looking for. I wanted to assess the group for the first six months until January. We were incredible in the Championship last year, and I wanted to give those players a chance, believing that they could perform to the level that they have. Then it was really a case of ‘how can we improve?' And I felt that type of player could improve us. He's come in and so far he's been very good.”
Sigurdsson's match-winning double at Wigan further enhanced his growing reputation and it would be no surprise to see rival EPL clubs weigh in with bids to sign him this summer.
For the time being, Sigurdsson is focused on maintaining his impressive form for Rodgers' side, but he is seeking talks with his parent club in order to sort out his future.
“I just want to play football. I'm very happy here at the moment and hopefully things will get sorted in the summer. I don't know what's going to happen. I'm concentrating on Swansea City and helping them stay in the league. This is what I've dreamed of since a little kid. I've got my chance now and hopefully I can keep on doing well. You're not going to turn down Premier League football when you're out of the side at Hoffenheim. It's not up to me because I've got another two seasons at Hoffenheim but I don't want to sit on the bench there any longer. They were in contact recently. I spoke to the manager briefly and he was going to speak to me again.”
Hoffenheim may try and keep hold of Sigurdsson, with a new coach at the helm in former Liverpool defender Markus Babbel, but it appears the player is eager to remain in the EPL.
And if Sigurdsson can keep producing the sort of performances we have seen from him in a Swansea shirt so far, then his price tag will soar and the Swans will face a tough task in attempting to lure him back to the Liberty Stadium.
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