Swansea City urged to beat Leicester City & Preston North End to EFL striker - he has "a lot to offer" | OneFootball

FLW's Swansea City Fan Pundit Will Hughes gives his thoughts on the club's interest in Wycombe striker Richard Kone.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Swansea City are readying a third and final bid for Wycombe Wanderers striker Richard Kone after seeing their second offer rejected.

The Swans have had a positive summer thus far, with Ethan Galbraith, Bobby Wales, Zedaine Inoussa and Ricardo Santos all arriving at the club.

Football League World exclusively revealed this week that the club have had a second approach - reportedly worth £4.5m - turned down by Wycombe and a preparing a third and final offer, with the Chairboys holding out for £5 million.

Alan Sheehan's side are looking to climb further up the standings after a positive finish to the 2024/25 campaign, with five wins in their last seven, and the signing of a recognised EFL striker would bring absolutely no harm to the ongoing project.

Swansea City backed to seal deal for Wycombe star Richard Kone

Kone image credit - Benji Walker (@benjiwalkerphoto)

FLW's Swansea fan pundit, Will Hughes, shared his disbelief at the transfer potentially taking place.

"This is a signing that I really did not expect to happen," said Will when asked whether he would be happy with the arrival of Kone.

"Especially with the rumoured transfer value that Wycombe had put on him at approximately £8-10 million in January. Now looking back, it was so that they could price others out while fighting for promotion.

"Looking at him, he looks like he has a lot to offer: pace, power, he can finish, and he is young. Even though we are spending a lot of money on him, I think that in a couple of years, if he has managed to get a good number of goals, he could be a saleable asset for us."

Kone scored 18 goals and provided three assists in League One last term as the club reached the play-offs, before their eventual semi-final loss against promotion-winners Charlton Athletic.

"I would be very happy, even though it is a gamble, it shows that our new ownership means business, and they have ambition," Will concluded.

Leicester City have reportedly made contact with Wycombe Wanderers over a potential deal for the Ivorian, whilst Preston have also tabled a £3m approach for the Chairboys hitman this summer.

Swansea mean business as they look to climb up the standings - Richard Kone could help massively

Kone image credit - Benji Walker (@benjiwalkerphoto)

Since achieving successive play-off finishes in 2020 and 2021, the Swans have not had a sniff of the top-flight since.

The club have since finished 15th, 10th, 14th and 11th respectively, with the mid-table area of the division becoming familiar for Jacks supporters.

Alan Sheehan guided the club to an 11th-place finish in the second half of the 2024/25 campaign, and there is reason for excitement as the new American ownership seem determined to end the period of mid-table obscurity.

While a push for automatic promotion may be a step too far this season, the Swans are in a good place to finally shift back through the gears and head towards the play-off places.

The club have been linked with a move for free agent Oli McBurnie throughout the summer, who netted 22 times in the Championship for Swansea in the 2018/19 campaign, and while they face stiff competition from the likes of Sheffield United, it is another signal of just where intentions lie.

Kone, a recognised goalscorer in the EFL, would be another step in the right direction both in terms of showcasing the club's ambition, and keeping the Swans on what is an upward trajectory heading into the season.