Cardiff City facing new Swansea City threat in Rangers transfer race | OneFootball

Swansea City have joined bitter rivals Cardiff City in the race for Rangers centre-back John Souttar this summer

Swansea City have joined their bitter rivals Cardiff City in the race for a defender who recently headed to North America to play in the FIFA World Cup, as the two Welsh outfits go head-to-head in the market before on the pitch this year.

Swansea's summer window has been lively so far, with Vitor Matos looking to stamp his authority on the Welsh outfit, in what is his first pre-season in charge of the club.

The Swans have already made the additions of Stephen Welsh from Celtic, Moussa Yeo from RB Salzburg, Elijah Just from Motherwell, and Joseph Opoku from Zulte Waregem, as well as Leo Walta's loan move from Sirius becoming permanent.

Welsh, 26, joins on a free transfer from Celtic, with the former Scottish youth international bolstering Matos' defensive options, as a compatriot could be on his way to the club this summer, as Swansea look to pip their bitter rivals to the signature of an international defender.

Swansea City have joined Cardiff City in the race for Scottish international John Souttar this summer

Action images

With Ricardo Santos having left the club to join Sheffield Wednesday, the next area in need of strengthening for Swansea is the heart of defence, with both Cameron Burgess and Ben Cabango in need of some competition.

Matos has seemingly taken this into account, as according to The Scottish Sun, the Swans have "emerged as a possible option" for 29-year-old Scottish international John Souttar this summer.

Souttar has previously attracted the interest of the likes of West Ham United, Sheffield United, Leicester City, Watford, and, most notably for Swansea fans, Cardiff City, as per the Daily Record, with the former Hearts player allowed to leave the club in the days, weeks, and months.

The Scot was left out of the Rangers' squad that travelled to Spain for pre-season by incoming boss Derek McIness, despite having signed a contract extension with the Glasgow outfit back in February, and looks to be on the verge of an exit sooner rather than later.

With 255 Scottish Premiership games under his belt for the likes of Rangers, Hearts, and Dundee United, as well as 24 caps for the Scottish national team, Souttar would bring a wealth of experience to any side he joins this summer, with a move south of the border on the horizon.

Swansea, with few centre-back options, have identified Souttar as a potential option this summer, and given Cardiff's interest in him too, would surely love to get this deal over the line for more reasons than one.

With Rangers eager to move him on over the coming weeks, a substantial fee is not expected, as both Swansea and Cardiff can likely afford to pay the fee, though his wages may cause a potential stumbling block.

Both Welsh clubs face competition from English sides, too, as this saga is set to continue to rumble on.

Vitor Matos can endear himself to Swansea City supporters by beating Cardiff City to the signing of John Souttar this summer

Action images

Matos' bubbly personality, as well as positive results on the pitch, has already helped him to become popular amongst Swansea supporters after replacing Alan Sheehan at the helm in November 2025.

The former Liverpool coach only took his first role as head coach of any first team in July 2025 back in his native Portugal with Maritimo, but made the move to Wales shortly after with the Swans, with whom he guided to an 11th-place finish last season.

Expectations are high in this corner South Wales after last season and an exciting summer window thus far, as Matos can really get spirits sky-high by beating Cardiff to the signature of Souttar.