**Swansea City Eyeing Loan Deal for Brighton’s Promising Midfielder**
Swansea City are actively considering a move to secure Brighton and Hove Albion prospect Malick Yalcouye on loan, as the Championship outfit look to bolster their midfield options ahead of the new season. Sources close to the Welsh club have revealed that discussions are underway for the teenager, whose rapid rise has attracted interest across Europe.
The 19-year-old, who is comfortable playing both out wide and as a number eight, is regarded as one of Brighton’s brightest young talents. There had been speculation that he would be given a chance to break into Roberto De Zerbi’s first team for the upcoming campaign. Nevertheless, the consensus at Brighton suggests that another loan stint could be the optimal next step for his development.
Yalcouye’s stock rose considerably during a successful loan spell with Austrian Bundesliga champions Sturm Graz last season. Impressing with both his versatility and maturity on the pitch, he featured 36 times in all competitions, including eight Champions League appearances—one of which saw him named man-of-the-match against Borussia Dortmund. He also contributed four goals and two assists, reinforcing his reputation as one to watch.
Despite strong interest from French side Toulouse and Danish giants FC Copenhagen in recent weeks, Swansea are reportedly in contention to bring the highly-rated midfielder to South Wales. Club insiders caution, however, that negotiations are still ongoing and no agreement is in place at this stage. Yalcouye is believed to be among a shortlist of midfield reinforcements under review by manager Luke Williams and the recruitment team.
Elsewhere, it is understood that the Swans have explored the possibility of a loan deal for Liverpool’s James McConnell, reflecting the club’s intent to add quality and depth in midfield before the transfer window closes. At a time when player development and squad building are in sharp focus, Swansea’s measured approach is notable.
Yalcouye, who signed a five-year contract with Brighton last summer, holds international eligibility for both Mali and the Ivory Coast. His early career included a spell at IFK Goteburg in Sweden before Brighton moved quickly to secure his signature. A product of the renowned ASEC Mimosas academy in Ivory Coast—whose alumni include the likes of Emmanuel Eboué, Gervinho and the Touré brothers—the teenager has drawn comparisons to Ngolo Kanté from those who have tracked his progress.
Should Swansea formalise a loan deal for Yalcouye, he would join a raft of new recruits at the Swansea.com Stadium. The club have already added Bobby Wales, Zeidane Inoussa, Ricardo Santos, Cameron Burgess and Ethan Galbraith on permanent deals this window. The latest arrival, Kaelan Casey from West Ham United, has joined on loan to reinforce the Swans’ defensive options.
Meanwhile, Swansea City’s recruitment drive is ongoing, with the club seeking to strengthen their attacking options. Despite speculation, a move for Wycombe Wanderers striker Richard Kone appears improbable, even after the League One side lowered their asking price to roughly £3 million. Club sources indicate this has not changed the Swans’ transfer stance.
One alternative being weighed up is Swedish forward Jusef Erabi, currently with Hammarby. Reports in Sweden suggest Swansea have already seen two bids for the 21-year-old, underlining their commitment to exploring multiple targets before the transfer deadline.
As Swansea continue to reshape their squad ahead of the season, supporters will watch with interest to see whether Malick Yalcouye becomes the latest fledgling talent to join the club’s evolving project. The outcome of these negotiations could provide a significant boost to the Swans’ ambitions for the campaign ahead, reflecting their blend of patience and ambition in the transfer market.