Exclusive: Swansea City preparing final bid for 18-goal star after second transfer setback | OneFootball

Swansea City are preparing a third and final bid for Wycombe striker Richard Kone after seeing their second offer rejected, FLW understands.

Swansea City are readying a third and final bid for Wycombe Wanderers striker Richard Kone after seeing their second offer rejected, Football League World has exclusively been informed.

The Swans are hoping to make their first transfer breakthrough since the signing of Ethan Galbraith early last month.

Zeidane Inoussa, Bobby Wales, Cameron Burgess and Ricardo Santos have all made moves to the Swansea.com Stadium this summer, ahead of Alan Sheehan's first season in charge as Jacks boss.

Swansea City ready final Richard Kone offer after second Wycombe transfer setback

image credit Benji Walker (@benjiwalkerphoto)

One player that we know Swansea City are keen to sign this summer is Wycombe Wanderers striker Richard Kone.

It was reported by WalesOnline that Swansea had already tabled their first bid for the 22-year-old earlier this summer, but the club had come back with an offer of around £4.5m for the Ivorian centre-forward.

However, Football League World has exclusively been informed that the Swans have had this second approach turned down by Wycombe, with the Chairboys said to be holding out for £5m.

But, we understand that the Jacks are now preparing to submit their third and final bid for the Chairboys hitman, in the hope that they can finally force a breakthrough for his signature.

Championship rivals Preston North End are also understood to have seen a £3m bid for Kone rejected, whilst French Ligue 1 side Toulouse have also had a similar approach knocked back too.

Kone, who fired home 18 goals in League One last season, has one year remaining on his contract at Adams Park, with Swansea considered the favourites to secure his services.

Ipswich Town, Norwich City, Leicester City and Middlesbrough have all been credited with an interest in Kone too.

Richard Kone signing could make all the difference in Swansea's play-off hopes next season

image credit Benji Walker (@benjiwalkerphoto)

There's a real sense of optimism and excitement surrounding Swansea City heading into the 2025/26 season.

Sheehan is being backed in the transfer market, Luka Modrić and Snoop Dogg have both bought into the football club, and the club's American owners seem determined on getting the club moving in the right direction once again.

However, what they still perhaps don't have - and what could be the final piece in their promotion push puzzle - is the presence of a natural goalscorer.

Attacking midfielder Liam Cullen finished last season as the club's top scorer in the Championship with 11, whilst Zan Vipotnik did the best when it came to Swansea's natural centre-forwards with seven.

Therefore, the addition of Kone could be exactly what Swansea City need in order to move into genuine promotion contention next season, and as such, Swans fans will surely be willing that their club to ensure this third and final bid gets the deal done.