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Swansea City’s Borja Bastón looks set to join Aston Villa for free as the winter transfer window splutters to a close.
Words: Regan Foy | @findfoy
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Swansea City seem to be ready to cut their losses with striker Borja Bastón by allowing him to leave the club via a free transfer this deadline day.
With five goals in 1,444 minutes of football this season for the Swans, the deal looks to have created a bit of a stir – but the Spanish striker has very much played a bit part role under Steve Cooper this season.
With just six months remaining on his contract, it is believed that Swansea are willing to let Bastón leave the club for nothing and join Aston Villa’s push for Premier League survival.
The deal is thought to be a short-term one on a similar amount of money that he is on at the Liberty Stadium, around £45,000 a week. This poses a risk-free deal for Dean Smith, Christian Purslow and Jesus Garcia Pitarch who are offering Bastón the opportunity to revive his career or make a big enough impression to secure a longer-term contract at the club or elsewhere.
At six feet and one inch tall, Bastón can be considered a similar player to Wesley – perhaps a little more mobile – and at 27-years-old, should be coming into the prime of his striking career.
Bastón, who graduated from Atletico Madrid’s academy before spending time with Zaragoza and Eibar – where he was relatively emphatic in front of goal has averaged a goal in every 2.8 games, despite his nightmare time at Swansea City.
It’s likely that Bastón will provide another option from the bench and that Mbwana Ally Samatta will be the main striker at the club – but with Keinan Davis’ precarious injury record, signing Borja on a free transfer should provide both necessary competition and cover.
There’s also the added fact that Suso is relatively aware of the forward from both of their times in Spain.
Keep your eyes on social media and the television – Aston Villa may in fact sign someone before the 11pm deadline.
