Swansea boss says Kyle Bartley staying in Wales, disappointing Leeds United fans

Now, before terror and panic ensue, remember that everything is for sale… for the right price.

On Thursday, Swansea City boss Paul Clement told Wales Online that center-back Kyle Bartley would return to Wales following his season-long loan with Leeds United.

Of course, that set off a flurry from Whites’ fans:

“He’s had a good season, we’ve spoken on the telephone and said well done," Clement told the outlet. "It’s unusual loan players captaining the side, he’s done well, but from our point of view I’m looking forward him coming back and working with him ... As far as I’m concerned he’s a Swansea player and he’s staying … He’s coming back here.”

Leeds manager Garry Monk has said he wants to try to sign Bartley to the club, so long as Monk remains with the team himself.

But don’t go looking for the closest wall to bang your head against just yet.

As any English football fan knows, you never say never. Keep in mind a few things:

1. There is still no guarantee that Bartley wants to return to Swansea City. He has been a fan favorite at Elland Road and players kind of like that notoriety.
2. The Swans are not a lock to even stay in the Premier League. Swansea will take on already relegated Sunderland this weekend, but City needs help to stay above the line. Hull City, Crystal Palace and Swansea are all in the range and the Swans and Hull are only one point apart. Hull needs to win at Crystal Palace to stay up. If Palace and Swansea win, Hull is relegated. If Hull wins this weekend, the Swans would need to at least draw with West Brom in the last game of the season … provided Hull loses to Tottenham — yeah, it can be difficult to keep up. The worst scenario for Swansea this weekend is a draw or loss and a Hull win. That would back the Swans into a must-win in their final match of the season.
3. All of that to say if Swansea is relegated, it could open the door for negotiations for Bartley as the Swans would want the extra money to hit the transfer market harder than if they stay in the Premier League.
4. Remember what I said at the start, everything is for sale … for the right price. This could be a poker bluff by Clement to see if Leeds and owner Andrea Radrizzani are willing to open the checkbook and pay more for Bartley. According to transfermkt.com, Bartley is valued at around 1 million pounds, or about $1.3 million.

One more thing

Top goalscorer Chris Wood has said he is already preparing for next season with the Whites.

The New Zealander finished the season with 30 total goals in all competitions with Leeds — only the sixth player in the club’s history to notch that tally.

Wood’s deal with the Whites is for another two years following his 3 million pound transfer from Leicester City in 2015.

... or maybe two

The punishment for defender Charlie Taylor is a fine of two-weeks wages following his refusal to play in Leeds’ final game of the season last weekend at Wigan.

Taylor was apparently advised not to play Sunday as he has been planning an exit from Elland Road. The apparent target. West Bromwich Albion who appear to be high on the 23-year-old, despite his recent walkout.

If a deal is done, Leeds United is likely to earn about 4 million pounds because Taylor is still under 24 years of age.