Report: Swansea consider Manchester City’s Patrick Roberts as Gylfi Sigurdsson replacement

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Swansea City talisman Gylfi Sigurdsson is closing in on a move to Everton and he could be replaced at the Liberty Stadium by young Patrick Roberts.

The short-term future of Manchester City’s Patrick Roberts remains up in the air. After spending the last 18 months lifting trophy after trophy on loan at Celtic, the Daily Record reported that the Scottish Champions were prepared to pay £5 million to sign him permanently.

However, after being included in City’s pre-season tour, starting the International Champions Cup clash with Manchester United last week, it appeared that Pep Guardiola would give him a chance in the first-team.

Roberts improved hugely at Celtic

Yet the Daily Mail reports that another loan move is not out of the question, with Southampton the early front-runners. However, the report adds that Swansea City have also identified Roberts as a potential signing if play-maker Gylfi Sigurdsson completes his expected move to Everton by the end of the window.

Aged just 20, Roberts is a player with outstanding potential. He may have struggled to make an impact at City since moving from Fulham for a cool £11 million in 2015 after just 22 senior appearances, as reported by the Guardian.

However, he offered a glimpse of his quality during a sensational season under Brendan Rodgers at Celtic. The Glasgow giants lifted a domestic treble, going unbeaten throughout the entire campaign, with Roberts scoring 11 goals and setting up another 19 in all competitions.

Whether he could move to Swansea as a direct replacement for Sigurdsson, however, is another matter. Only City’s Kevin De Bruyne set up more Premier League goals than the Icelandic talisman in 2016/17, his remarkable efficiency in the final third crucial as Swansea secured their top flight safety by the skin of their teeth.

Swansea were hugely reliant on Sigurdsson last season

His departure would leave a huge void in Paul Clement’s side. Therefore Roberts may face arguably the most daunting task of his career by moving to the Liberty on loan.