Brentford winger Tariqe Fosu's potential loan move to Championship side Swansea City collapsed due to captain Matt Grimes remaining at the Swansea.com Stadium, as per Wales Online.

25-year-old winger Fosu made an exceptional impact in his first season in west London, recording eight goal contributions in 39 second-tier appearances during the 2020/21 campaign after making the step up from League One outfit Oxford United last summer.

But with fellow winger Yoane Wissa arriving at the Brentford Community Stadium for an £8.5m fee last month and the Bees now in the Premier League, he is unlikely to play regularly in the top flight this season.

 

 

Russell Martin's Swansea looked set to rescue him in a potential loan-to-buy move on deadline day, but that move failed to materialise with central midfielder and key man Matt Grimes remaining at the club, following speculation he would depart the club in the summer.

The Swans' skipper was heavily linked with a move to promotion favourites Fulham last month with Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa's likely departure from Craven Cottage - and were previously reported to be closing in on a move for him.

That move failed to materialise, but Bournemouth and Premier League rivals Watford and Brighton were also said to be monitoring his situation in Wales and the Cottagers even returned with a deadline day bid for his services, which was rejected by Swansea's hierarchy.

He will now remain at the Swansea.com Stadium until at least January, although it's currently unclear whether he will sign fresh terms at the club with his deal running out in less than 12 months.

The Verdict:

The fact Fosu's move broke down due to Grimes staying does seem strange considering the two play in different positions, but according to the BBC, the Swans' move for the former would have been with a view to a permanent deal.

Arguably, they could have still taken the Ghanaian international on a temporary deal without having to fork out a huge fee to bring him in. But there are two factors that need to be considered.

Firstly, the option to buy signalled the Championship side's intent to keep him for the long-term.

If they no longer see that as a viable or sensible option due to the fact no revenue has been raised from Grimes, therefore not providing them with the adequate funds to pursue a permanent deal, then Fosu wouldn't be a longer-term option anymore. The Swans' officials may have been put off by this.

Secondly, their wage bill also needs to be carefully monitored. The Brentford winger may be surplus to requirements this season, but they would ideally have wanted Swansea to pay a chunk of his wages.

High wage bills have proved to be the downfall of multiple EFL clubs in recent years, so the Welsh outfit may have decided not to chase this deal with Grimes' salary still on the books.

Then again, they have sold quite a few of their most expensive assets in recent years, so one more player wouldn't have hurt.