Swansea City captain Matt Grimes insists his focus remains on the Championship outfit amid reports linking him with a Russell Martin reunion at ‘massive club’ Southampton.
You certainly would have got long odds on both James Ward-Prowse and Romeo Lavia lining up at the heart of Martin’s midfield during Southampton’s league opener away at Sheffield Wednesday this Friday.
But, with West Ham and Liverpool growing frustrated in their pursuit of the midfield duo, The Saints should travel to Hillsborough with arguably the two most talented players in the division still very much part of their squad.
Whether Ward-Prowse and Lavia will stay put beyond the September deadline remains to be seen, however; any approach for Grimes arguably tied to the futures of the England and Belgium internationals.
Southampton linked with another Swansea City swoop
Grimes wore the captain’s armband under new Saints boss Martin at Swansea. The Sun reported back in June that a reunion could be on the cards at the banks of the Solent, though the former Leeds and Blackburn midfielder is at pains to point out that he will not let the speculation distract him from his leadership role in South Wales.
“I think it’s a natural thing to link someone who has played almost every game under that manager to that manager. It happens all the time,” Grimes tells the BBC. “I have just carried on with my work to make sure I came back to pre-season fit and firing.”
Martin’s Southampton have also been linked with Jay Fulton, Ben Cabango and Joel Piroe. Ryan Manning has already arrived, his Swansea contract expiring in July.
Grimes, meanwhile, is making no secret of his admiration for a coach who plans to transform Southampton into a more proactive, possession-based side.
“Obviously we were upset to see (Martin) go. We thought he was a brilliant coach. He was brilliant with the lads and brilliant around the place,” Grimes adds.
“It’s no secret how much I loved working under him, but football changes and you have to get on with it.
“Everyone is entitled to having a crack at any job they want.
“Southampton are a massive club, just relegated from the Premier League, so the squad and the firepower that they will have will be right up there with the best in the league. So I can fully understand his reasoning for wanting that challenge.”
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