Swansea City manager Russell Martin has revealed that he would be keen to work with Manchester defender Ethan Laird once again as the Swans target more additions to their squad.

It has been consistently reported over the past few weeks that Swansea are interested in making a loan move for Laird this summer following Martin’s arrival as manager.

That comes after he worked with the defender at MK Dons last term and managed to get some very promising performances from the 20-year-old.

The Athletic have reported that other teams are interested in Laird alongside Swansea, but that the Swans are the leading contenders in the race for his signature. That comes with Manchester United wanting him to get game in the Championship this term rather than League One.

Wales Online have since reported that no agreement has been reached between Swansea and Manchester United as of yet.

However, it is believed that it is a situation to keep an eye on as we head into the final few weeks of the transfer window.

Speaking to Wales Online ahead of Swansea’s clash with Sheffield United, Martin revealed that he would indeed be wanting to secure Laird’s signature this summer if that is possible with him confessing he is a fan of the 20-year-old after working with him at MK Dons.

"Personally, I love Ethan, I worked with him for four or five months.

"He's a brilliant character. He did really well for us on the pitch, but he’s not our player at the moment.

"I’d be lying if I said I wouldn't like to work with him again at some point.

"But he's not here. He’s at Man United at the moment. But as a player and a person he’s someone we really like."

The verdict

These comments from Martin on Laird should not come as too much of a surprise really considering that he managed to develop the defender’s game a lot during his loan spell with MK Dons in League One last season.

The 20-year-old showed that he is willing and hungry to learn and grow as a player and that is the sort of attitude that is vital to work under the new Swansea manager.

Given Larid already knows how Martin wants his sides to play and be brave in possession at all times, it would mean that the defender could slot straight into the side and he would not need to be worried about first earning the trust of his new manager.

That might give the Swans a major advantage and Manchester United could be keen for him to get regular game time under a manager that has already shown that he believes in the defender. It would therefore be a no-brainer for them to send him out to Swansea for the campaign.

Laird is the sort of player that fits Martin’s ethos and view of the game pretty well and you could only see him going from strength to strength under the new Swansea manager. It would be a transfer that makes a lot of sense.

Swansea’s board now need to show that they can back Martin and do all they can to secure a loan agreement with Manchester United for Laird.