Swans Agree Fee For Butler

Swansea City have agreed fees for 2 players, Hartlepool winger Thomas Butler and the other is thought to be Yeovil defender Kevin Amankwaah.

Left winger Butler handed in a transfer-request at Hartlepool following their relegation to League 2 and the player is now discussing personal terms with the Swans.

The 25 year-old started off his career with Sunderland as a trainee and played 36 times for the club, 19 of those being in the Premiership.

After a brief loan spell at Darlington, he joined Scottish side Dunfermline in 2004 and then joined Hartlepool 6 months later.

Amankwaah still has a year left on his contract at Huish Park but it's been reported that Swansea have had made a bid in the region of �200,000 for the highly-rated defender.

It could prove to be difficult to sign Amankwaah as Yeovil are negiotiating a new contract with the defender and manager Russell Slade said: 'We want to keep Kevin here. We are fully committed to that and in fact we are in negotiations to extend his contract. We have told Kevin about the interest (from Swansea) and Kevin has indicated that he would like to stay here.

'As far as I am concerned, he will start the season in the green and white hoops of Yeovil Town.'

Meanwhile, just as we reported yesterday via the Rumour Mill, Willie Boland is close to earning himself a deal with the Swans.

Jackett said: 'Willie's got a chance,'

'I think we may be short of a natural holding midfield player, although I do have people in my squad, notably Andy Robinson, who can play there.

'I may be short in that one position and Willie's around at the right time, so we'll assess how he goes at Exeter on Saturday.'

Vital Swansea were informed yesterday that another good performance and Boland would be offered a contract.

Hartlepool Fans' Views on Butler:

''He loves to run at players and is a real crowd pleaser. His main weakness is that his final ball good be better. However, the main thing is that he tries to go past players. Work on his final delivery and you will have acquired a great pro. Good luck.''
HARROGATEPOOLEY

''He's certainly a crowd pleaser. He'll run at players and scare the living daylights out of them. However, his main weakness is the final ball into the box. He just doesn't deliver the crosses and takes too many players on. If he works on his final product, he'll be a great signing for you.

One air of caution though is that he seems to be a journeyman. Since leaving Sunderland, he hasn't really stayed at a club for long. He spent 5 months at Dunfermline before leaving and just over a year at us before he put in a transfer request.

he can play on both flanks. He's right footed but prefers playing on the left. However, he can easily play on the right hand side as well.''
DanielGaunt

Quotes taken from the Vital Hartlepool forum, you can visit it here

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.