Swansea frustrated by Bates transfer

Last updated : 18 August 2011 By DSG

Swans boss Brendan Rodgers had made Bates his top defensive target but it would seem negotiations with Boro are going nowhere fast and the Premier League new boys may now have to turn to plan B.

The South Wales outfit were only willing to pay around £1m for the Boro skipper, but that figure fell well below Tony Mowbray's own valuation of the player.However, Bates is in the final year of his contract and Mowbray has already admitted that the club would struggle to offer him a new deal on his current terms, so a compromise could still be possible, if they aren't prepared to let him walk away next summer on a free.

"Matthew is from a different timescale in terms of salary and sometimes, when players are running out of contract, we have to listen to offers," said the Middlesbrough manager."There were times last season where he probably didn't reach the levels of fitness that he's now showing."But he looks every inch a Premier League footballer on the evidence of the last couple of games."

If anything happens and that does go through that will release some funds and we'll utilise the money in different areas of the pitch."I keep him fully updated. If a deal is acceptable for all parties then Matthew will be able to go and talk to them."

Source: DSG

Source: DSG