Swansea City’s Gylfi Sigurdsson, who is reportedly wanted by Everton in the summer transfer window, will not feature against Southampton, says Paul Clement.
The Swans will kick off their 2017-18 Premier League campaign with a game against Southampton away from home at St. Mary’s Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
It has been reported that talks between the two Premier League clubs over the attacking midfielder have hit a deadlock, but a deal could still happen.
“At the moment no (he will not play this Saturday),” Clement told Sky Sports about Sigurdsson. “I think it’s in the best interest with everyone involved that’s not the case, and in my plans that’s the situation that Gylfi will not be involved in the squad this weekend.
“We’ve got a number of weeks to go and I don’t anticipate it going to the end of the window. Of course I would like the situation resolved as soon as possible, I’ve said that quite clearly.”
Clement’s decision will be welcomed by Everton. Sigurdsson’s absence this weekend will mean that he will not have any risk of getting injured and then not getting the chance to switch to the Toffees.
The former Tottenham Hotspur attacking midfielder is one of the best players in his position in the Premier League, and the Iceland international would be a brilliant signing for Everton.
However, it could take a while for the 27-year-old to settle into life at Goodison Park as he did not have a pre-season with Ronald Koeman’s side.
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