Celtic and Southampton face Swansea City threat in race to sign 'pure footballer' | OneFootball

Elijah Just, who scored three times for New Zealand in this summer's World Cup, is being eyed by Swansea City

Swansea City will be heading into the 2026/27 campaign as one of the sides that could take advantage of the expanded play-offs to increase their promotion chances.

The Swans haven't finished in the top six since losing the play-off final against Brentford in 2021. Since then, their parachute payments dried up, and they've finished between 10th and 15th in each of the last five years.

But after Vitor Matos was hired in late November, Swansea were a top-10 side and were a point removed from eighth in the 30 games the young Portuguese boss oversaw. The focus this summer will be to ensure their squad is ready to at least maintain that over 46 games next season.

They suffered an early blow with the loss of Ethan Galbraith to divisional rivals Stoke City, but did recoup an eight-figure fee for him. Now, Swansea fans are waiting to see how that money gets reinvested, and if they too will be making a big splash in the market.

Swansea City eye versatile Motherwell attacker Elijah Just

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They may have their answer sooner rather than later, though, as the Daily Record have reported that Motherwell playmaker Elijah Just is a "top summer priority" for Swansea in the transfer window.

Just is coming off a brilliant debut year for the Well, scoring and assisting seven times as Jens Berthel Askou oversaw a return to Europe via a fourth-placed finish — their highest since the 2019/20 campaign.

However, the 26-year-old has since become more of a household name after a string of impressive performances for New Zealand at the World Cup this summer, scoring three of the All Whites' four goals throughout the tournament.

That made him their all-time top scorer at the tournament, bringing some much-needed appraisal from former Celtic midfielder Scott Alan, who called him a "pure footballer."

"He's quite slight, but his awareness, ability to play in tight areas and hurt you is brilliant. Forget the stats - on the eye test, he's been absolutely outstanding," he said.

With a year left on his contract, plus an option to extend for a further 12 months, Motherwell are in no hurry to sell their versatile attacker, who played on either wing and behind the striker last season.

The report states that Swansea will have to part ways with a "significant" seven-figure fee to bring him to South Wales this summer.

Vitor Matos has already been shopping from Motherwell's squad from last season. Stephen Walsh, their new centre-back who arrived from Celtic, spent last year on loan at Fir Park, but a move for Just may be a little less straightforward.

Just has plenty of suitors from across the World after his performance in the World Cup. Celtic have recently been credited with interest, while fellow Championship outfit Southampton were linked immediately following his brace against Iran in New Zealand's opener.

Swansea are said to be aware of that, but are still keen to get a deal done quickly.

How Swansea City fans have reacted to Elijah Just links

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For a lot of Swansea fans, it's been a long time coming for them to be linked with another player. Only Walsh and Moussa Yeo are new faces in the Swans' camp, with Leo Walta making his loan move permanent from Sirius, too.

It's safe to say that they are more than happy with the Just links, too. Not only due to his performances in the USA, Canada and Mexico this summer, but also given his clear qualities shown during the SPL campaign, which would make him an upgrade on who they already have.

"This would be a serious signing," one fan wrote on X. "Now that’s tasty Swans," another added.

Swansea already have a New Zealand international in their side, Marko Stamenic, who also started every game for the Kiwis in their group stage exit.

Some Swans fans have called on the 24-year-old to put in a good word, after he enjoyed a solid debut campaign at the Swansea.com Stadium last season.

"This would be a brilliant signing if we get him. Agent Stamenic👀🤞🏻🇳🇿," one fan responded online. "Agent Stamenic, we need a FAVOUR!" wrote another.

Just is a very exciting profile this summer off the back of a solid World Cup campaign. Players who excelled on the biggest stage can often fail after a big-profile move, though.

Luckily enough, the 26-year-old seems more than capable of competing for a play-off-chasing Championship side, which Swansea hope to be this season.