Key Highlights
- Preston North End and Leyton Orient are pursuing Finley Munroe during the January transfer window.
- Ian Holloway is hopeful of keeping Munroe but acknowledges interest from higher divisions.
- Munroe has been a standout player for Swindon Town, contributing significantly to their team’s performance on loan from Aston Villa.
- Swindon Town are preparing to potentially lose Munroe and have contingency plans in place.
The Battle for Finley Munroe: Championship Clubs Target Swindon Loan Player
As the January transfer window opens, reports suggest that Championship clubs Preston North End and Leyton Orient are making a move to sign Swindon Town’s Finley Munroe. The 20-year-old has been a standout performer for Swindon during his loan from Aston Villa, netting crucial goals that have bolstered their position in League One.
Interest from Higher Divisions
According to Ian Holloway, the manager of Swindon Town, interest from higher divisions is nothing new. “We always knew that there would be interest in Finley Munroe,” he stated. “He’s been a little superstar in his own world and we’re just hoping to keep him.” However, with clubs like Preston North End and Leyton Orient expressing their intent to bring the young player into their ranks, Swindon Town is preparing for potential losses.
Contingency Plans
Swindon Town has a contingency plan in place, as reported by The Adver. “Having a contingency plan was central to us,” Holloway explained. “We need to see if the clubs that we’ve loaned them from are happy with the minutes they’ve had and then look at the skill sets I now need compared to what I needed back then.” This preparation ensures that Swindon can adapt quickly, should Munroe decide to leave.
Swindon’s Approach
Peter O’Rourke from Football Insiders reported that Preston North End and former Swindon boss Richie Wellens’ Leyton Orient are racing to bring Munroe in. “You’d have to get a coach full of horses to drag him away from us,” Holloway added, emphasizing his attachment to the player. “He’s loving life at the Nigel Eady County Ground.” Despite this sentiment, Swindon Town is aware that keeping Munroe will be challenging, especially given the success he has shown.
Swindon Town has already added other players on loan, including Aidan Borland and Michael Olakigbe, as they revamp their team composition for the second part of the season. Holloway remains committed to resisting offers on his permanently contracted players, ensuring that the promotion push is not jeopardized.
Should Munroe depart, Swindon Town will need to replace him with another left wing-back. Billy Kirkman has returned from injury as a natural option, while Joel McGregor has also been used in this role during the season.
The club is prepared to bring in an additional player if needed, ensuring continuity on the pitch.
The transfer window brings both challenges and opportunities for Swindon Town. While they hope to retain Munroe, the competition from higher divisions highlights his value as a key asset. As the January transfer window progresses, fans and supporters will be closely watching to see how this situation unfolds.
