**Swansea City Director Addresses Oli McBurnie Link Amid Striker Reshuffle**
Swansea City’s director of football, Richard Montague, has publicly spoken for the first time about the club’s reported interest in bringing striker Oli McBurnie back to the Swansea.com Stadium this summer. In a period rife with speculation regarding potential new arrivals and possible outgoing players, Montague’s comments have shed valuable light on the Swans’ approach to squad building ahead of the new campaign.
McBurnie, now aged 29, is expected to depart Las Palmas after the Spanish outfit’s recent relegation from La Liga. The terms of the Scotsman’s contract enable him to leave on a free transfer following the club’s drop from the top division—a development which has not gone unnoticed among his former employers in Swansea, as well as several other clubs monitoring the situation, including Hull City and Celta Vigo.
“We’re all aware of Oli as a player and his circumstances at this stage,” Montague commented, responding to mounting questions on the possibility of a high-profile return for the forward. “He’s someone who’s been mentioned, a name considered in our discussions. Clearly, he’s a talented player, but I’d hesitate to suggest there’s been any concrete progress at this point.”
McBurnie previously enjoyed a productive stint in South Wales, recording 26 goals from 62 appearances across a four-year spell before securing a move to Sheffield United in 2019 for a reported fee of approximately £17 million. His subsequent experience in the Premier League only serves to increase his value, not just in terms of capability but also in potential wage requirements—something Swansea would need to carefully consider given their financial framework.
Montague was candid in acknowledging the intricacies a potential deal would involve. “In theory, a lot of scenarios are possible,” he explained. “But it’s a balancing act: you have to determine how much you value a particular player and what he might contribute, versus the slice of your budget you’re willing—or able—to spend. This isn’t only relevant to Oli, but holds true for all our transfer dealings. It’s a puzzle of allocation.”
The shape of Swansea’s future attacking line is further complicated by the imminent return of Jerry Yates and Mykola Kuharevich, both of whom spent last season out on loan. Presently, neither player is on the cusp of an exit, but their futures remain subject to change depending on the market and internal discussions within the club.
“All options are very much open regarding our current strikers,” Montague said, particularly when asked about Yates, whose impressive individual performances came despite his loan club’s difficulties last campaign. “We need proper dialogue with Jerry and his agent to figure out the best path ahead for him—nothing has been determined yet, and that conversation is due.”
Similarly, Kuharevich is entering the picture after a decent season on loan in Scotland, but Montague admitted the club faces tough decisions as it seeks to fit together its attacking options. “We have several forwards and need to assess who fits where. Some may find their playing opportunities limited, so movement in and out of the squad is inevitable.”
As Swansea evaluate their options in attack and weigh up the financial implications of any new signings, Montague’s measured approach exemplifies a commitment to thoughtful squad management. While fans might hope for a swift conclusion to the McBurnie speculation, the indications are that any major moves will be tethered to broader considerations about the team and its resources.
Meanwhile, beyond the transfer headlines, Swansea’s leadership continues to signal that the summer window will be one of careful deliberation, with every decision subject to the needs of the club as a whole. Supporters will be watching with interest as the situation develops, hoping that, whatever the outcome, the Swans are positioned for success in the forthcoming season.