**Swansea City Close in on Ricardo Santos as Third Summer Acquisition**
Swansea City are on the verge of securing their third signing in what has been an active summer for the club, with centre-back Ricardo Santos expected to arrive imminently on a free transfer. The 29-year-old defender, who recently completed his contract with League One side Bolton Wanderers, is said to be in advanced negotiations with the Swans, despite rumoured interest from fellow Championship outfit Sheffield Wednesday.
The potential addition of Santos comes as Swansea seek to reinforce their defensive ranks following a period of significant turnover. The departures of Hannes Delcroix and veteran Kyle Naughton have left head coach Alan Sheehan with limited options at the back, turning depth at centre-half into a priority for the Welsh side. The only current senior centre-back, Ben Cabango, thus appears set for new competition as the club looks to rebuild its defensive core.
Should the deal for Santos be completed as expected, he will join recent recruits Bobby Wales and Zeidane Inoussa. In addition, Melker Widell, who joined from Danish club AaB in January, is anticipated to officially link up with the squad this summer, after waiting for the right moment to integrate into the team setup.
However, the situation is further complicated by uncertainty surrounding the future of Harry Darling. Having been offered improved terms to stay, the 25-year-old centre-back is reportedly still considering his options, with Wrexham and Birmingham City both monitoring his contract situation closely. Swansea supporters are hopeful Darling will remain, but his hesitation suggests a potential exit is still on the cards.
Despite speculation that Santos might serve as a replacement for Darling, sources close to the club insist this is not the case. Instead, Santos is expected to offer valuable cover and experience in a depleted position, ensuring that Sheehan has a wider pool of defenders to select from as preparations for the new campaign gather pace.
The search for further defensive reinforcements also appears ongoing, with reports from Switzerland linking FC Sion’s Gora Diouf to the Liberty Stadium. While no official approaches have been confirmed, it is clear the Swans are exploring a host of options to ensure they are not left short at the back when the Championship season resumes.
Santos leaves Bolton after a hugely significant stint, spending five years at the club and tallying more than 200 appearances. Last season, he featured 32 times, cementing his reputation as a reliable figure in the Wanderers’ back four. In his heartfelt farewell statement to fans, Santos reflected on his time at Bolton, highlighting the highs of securing promotion from League Two and celebrating personal accolades, including being named Player of the Year and earning repeated inclusions in the EFL Team of the Season and the PFA Team of the Year.
While the announcement of his exit was met with obvious disappointment at Bolton, manager Steven Schumacher praised both Santos and fellow departing player Gethin Jones for their contributions to the club’s recent successes. Schumacher pointed to their roles not only in achieving promotion, but also in winning the EFL Trophy at Wembley – moments that will be fondly remembered by supporters.
As the summer transfer window continues, Swansea’s moves signal an intention to reshape the squad with both experienced professionals and emerging talents. The coming weeks will prove crucial, as the club aims to assemble a team capable of mounting a credible challenge in the Championship.
For supporters eager to follow Swansea City’s transfer activity, updates are expected over the coming days. The acquisition of Ricardo Santos would mark another step in what promises to be a busy and potentially transformative off-season for the Swans.