Swansea City should consider Rotherham United transfer raid if Richard Kone pursuit falters | OneFootball

Richard Kone is an in-demand League One striker. Swansea lead the way for his signature but Rotherham could provide a back-up should their bid falter.

Swansea City are understood to be leading the race for the Wycombe striker Richard Kone, but another League One club could provide a back-up option should they fail.

With 18 goals in League One last season, Richard Kone of Wycombe Wanderers turned a lot of heads, and there's been considerable interest in acquiring his services over the summer.

Swansea City are currently leading the chase for Kone, but when a player has attracted this much interest there's always a possibility that someone else could swoop in and snatch him from under their noses.

But the good news for Swansea is that there is another League One striker who could be a perfect fit in the event that they end up failing in their attempts to lure Kone to the Swansea.com Stadium this summer.

Richard Kone is subject to a bidding war - but there is a potential alternative for Swansea City

Kone image credit - Benji Walker (@benjiwalkerphoto)

The BBC have reported that there is currently a bidding war going on for Richard Kone's services.

They report that Preston North End have already had a bid of £3m rejected for the striker, but that Swansea are getting closer to Wycombe's £5m valuation for the player with an offer of £4.5m rejected.

Football League World exclusively revealed that the Swans are preparing a third and final approach for the Ivorian, with Sky Sports journalist Ron Walker also revealing that Wycombe have lowered their asking price for their star striker to £3m up-front with add-ons.

The BBC also report interest from other clubs, including the French club Toulouse, while Leicester City are among a number of other Championship clubs who've been linked with him.

Swansea's offer is clearly very close to Wycombe's valuation, but if the Chairboys are holding out for at least that full £5m, it might not be enough, while there is also the possibility that such a bidding war could yet tempt other clubs to drive his price up still further.

But Kone isn't the only striker who has impressed in League One over the last couple of seasons, and there's a possible substitute for Swansea's overtures at Rotherham United, in the event that the Swans miss out on this particular striker.

Sam Nombe could be an excellent fit for Swansea, should their Kone interest fail

Sam Nombe kicked off his 2025-26 season in style, scoring both of Rotherham United's goals in their 2-1 win against Port Vale on the opening weekend of the League One season.

At 26 years of age, Nombe is four years older than Kone, but despite his higher age, this is a player who still seems to be improving.

He started his career in the renowned academy at MK Dons, spending time on loan at Oxford City, Maidenhead United and Luton Town, before signing for Exeter City in 2021.

Nombe demonstrated his ability in front of goal by netting 15 times in League One for the Grecians throughout the 2022-23 season, but the Exeter manager who took him to the club, Matt Taylor, left for Rotherham United in October 2022, and Taylor thought highly enough of Nombe that the Millers broke their transfer record to take him to the New York Stadium at the end of the summer 2023 transfer window.

Nombe struggled in front of goal in his first season at Rotherham, netting just three times in 41 appearances as the team was relegated from the Championship, but he found his feet in League One last season with 14, even though the team couldn't push above mid-table in their first season back at that level.

So, although Kone has the benefit of youth on his side, Nombe is an alternative that is worthy of consideration.

Quite aside from anything else, he would be considerably cheaper than Kone. With so much interest in Kone, there is every possibility that Swansea City will fail in their bid to take him to the Swansea.com Stadium.