Why Swansea City should copy Leyton Orient blueprint for next signing | OneFootball

Swansea City have had huge success signing ex-Leyton Orient players, Dom Ballard should be their next target

Swansea City have pulled away from the Championship relegation zone in recent weeks thanks to Zan Vipotnik's goals, and the Slovenian's brace against Blackburn Rovers sees him top the division's goalscoring charts with 13 goals.

It's been a remarkable turnaround for the striker, who scored just seven times in all competitions for the Swans last season, and his upturn in form has come at the right time for Vitor Matos' side, who currently have fellow striker Adam Idah sidelined with injury.

Idah's injury means that Vipotnik is Swansea's only real striker option available currently, with youngster Bobby Wales tipped for a loan move away from SA1 this month.

With that in mind, Swansea should be eyeing potential striker reinforcements this month, and an ambitious move for a player at a club they've had success in dealing with recently could fit the bill.

Swansea City should aim to replicate Leyton Orient transfer success with Dom Ballard

In the past two seasons, Swansea have signed two former Leyton Orient players in the form of Lawrence Vigouroux and Ethan Galbraith, and both have become stars in their own right in SA1.

Galbraith moved to Swansea directly from Brisbane Road last summer, while ex-Orient cult-hero Vigouroux joined from Burnley in the summer of 2024, although he didn't make a first-team appearance with the Clarets.

The O's have also seen ex-Swansea players Azeem Abdulai and Kaelan Casey join them in recent times, and the Swans should be looking to keep their recent transfer business up with the East London club this month.

Dom Ballard has been one of the stars of League One this season, with 15 goals in just 20 appearances, and while it could well be an ambitious move for Swansea, particularly as Ballard only joined the O's in the summer, the Swans have shown real ambition in the transfer market recently.

The 20-year-old wouldn't come cheap after his impressive form in League One and after signing a three-year deal with Leyton Orient in the summer, but Swansea need a striker, and it remains to be seen what the future holds for Zan Vipotnik.

Vipotnik has been linked with West Ham, and while a January move looks unlikely, the Championship top scorer will certainly attract interest in the summer if his current form continues.

As a young, English striker, Ballard will certainly have resale value, something that will appeal to Swansea and their transfer model, and there is no question that he's capable of making the step-up to the Championship.

Galbraith’s arrival in the summer has strengthened the belief among some Swansea supporters that the club should be targeting League One talent rather than looking abroad, and Ballard should be the next player they target from the division below.

Dom Ballard won't be in League One for much longer

Ballard is the division's top scorer despite playing for a side in 16th place, and while he may have only joined the club last summer, it would be a surprise if he was still at Brisbane Road when next season starts.

Southampton will be kicking themselves that they allowed the 20-year-old to leave in the summer, and there will undoubtedly be Championship clubs keeping tabs on him with a view for a move.

Ballard's recent hat-trick against Bolton Wanderers has helped put him in the shop window at the right time, and the O's are set to make a big profit on the undisclosed six-figure fee they paid for the striker.

With Vipotnik's future uncertain and Idah out injured, signing a new striker isn't beyond the realms of possibility for Swansea this month, and Ballard should be front of the queue if Vitor Matos decides to dip into the transfer market.