Southampton’s £10 million bid ‘was not anywhere close’ to being enough to sign Nathan Wood from Championship rivals Swansea City during the summer transfer window.
Speaking to Wales Online, Swansea’s sporting director Paul Watson found himself facing questions about those who stayed and those who eventually departed during another hectic summer at the Liberty Stadium.
The Swans had no real choice but to accept Leeds United’s bid for star striker Joel Piroe. The talismanic Dutchman was into the final 12 months of his contract, after all.
But while Nathan Wood found himself in a similar position – his contract is also due to expire in July 2024 – Watson obviously felt that Swansea could extract far more than the £10 million offered by Southampton, even if rejecting the Saints’ bid incurs the risk of losing the former Middlesbrough youngster for nothing later down the line.
Southampton wanted Swansea defender Nathan Wood
“Nathan is a young English central defender. They are sought after. There was a valuation on him that wasn’t anywhere close to being met,” Watson explains; Adam Webster, Ben Gibson and Harry Souttar all departing second-tier clubs for fees in excess of £15 million in previous windows.
“I spoke with Nathan, the same as I did to Joel, and said I would be fair and honest. We see his future here. We think he can improve here. And, ultimately, he said ‘OK, that’s where I am. I am happy to stay and happy to play’.
“That wasn’t a protracted conversation going back and forth like Joel. That was pretty simple.”
Russell Martin is a big fan
According to the Daily Mail, Southampton’s final offer rolled in at £8 million, rising to £10 million in add-ons. It remains to be seen whether the Saints – now coached by former Swansea boss Russell Martin – return in January, by which time Wood will be able to sign a pre-contract deal with any interested party.
A repeat of that 5-0 hammering at Sunderland will surely strengthen Martin’s resolve for defensive reinforcements.
Southampton are a respectable seventh in the Championship table as things stand. But no team has conceded as many as their 12 goals thus far.
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