Swansea City lead Preston, Wrexham and Celtic in race to £4.5m striker | OneFootball

The 21-year-old has been the subject of interest throughout the summer transfer window.

Swansea City are leading the race for in-demand Wycombe Wanderers striker Richard Kone.

The 21-year-old has been the subject of significant interest over the course of the summer transfer window so far, with clubs in the EFL and abroad keen on landing the Ivorian centre-forward.

Kone was prolific in League One last season, helping Wycombe reach the play-offs in the third tier, which has put him on the radar of several other clubs this summer.

It was reported yesterday that Swansea and Preston North End were showing strong interest in the striker, alongside Ligue 1 side Toulouse, while Wrexham and Belgian champions Union Saint-Gilloise were also said to be tracking him, as per reporter Jacob Steinberg via X.

Scottish giants Celtic were linked with a move for Kone earlier this month, and Premier League outfit West Ham United were also understood to be monitoring him back in June.

Other EFL clubs, including Birmingham City and Middlesbrough, have also been named as potential suitors for Kone this summer, but it now appears as though Swansea are leading the race for his signature, as per Wales Online.

Swansea submit £4.5m bid for Kone

It was reported yesterday that Swansea, Preston and Toulouse were the clubs showing a strong interest in Kone, and it has now been revealed that the Welsh side have stolen a march on their rivals, according to Wales Online.

The Swans had an initial approach rejected by the Chairboys, but they returned with another offer worth £4.5 million, and the League One side are believed to be considering that latest offer.

Meanwhile, Preston have had a bid in the region of £3 million for Kone rejected by Wycombe, while Toulouse have also had a similar offer knocked back.

It was previously reported that Wycombe expected to receive more than £5 million for the striker this summer, so they may be hoping that a bidding war will break out following Swansea's attempted £4.5 million move.

Given that clubs with significant financial backing, such as Celtic, Birmingham and Wrexham, have been named in the race for Kone, it is far from guaranteed that Swansea's latest offer will be enough for them to land the Ivorian, but they are the club currently in pole position as this transfer saga seemingly nears its conclusion.

Kone looks set to finally get his move

Wycombe boss Mike Dodds will surely be resigned to the fact that he is set to lose his star man just days before the start of the League One season, and he will no doubt be frustrated that he was unable to guide the Chairboys into the Championship with the 21-year-old leading the line last season.

Luton Town had a bid worth £7 million for Kone rejected in January, with Wycombe in the midst of a promotion push in League One that was being spearheaded by the striker.

However, Wycombe were beaten by Charlton Athletic in the League One play-off semi-final, and they now look set to lose Kone for less than they would have back in January.

Wycombe's loss could well be Swansea's gain, and it will certainly be interesting to see how he gets on in the second tier next season if he does end up making a £4.5 million move to Wales.