Swansea City make big transfer decision on summer signing - League One clubs eyeing deal | OneFootball

Ricardo Santos has struggled for minutes in South Wales since leaving Bolton Wanderers, and now a move away could be on.

Swansea City are set to allow Ricardo Santos to depart the club in the January transfer window, just six months after joining the club.

The centre-back has featured in just one game for the Swans so far this season, with his sole appearance coming from off the bench in a 3-0 defeat away to Bristol City at the end of November.

Santos, 30, left Bolton Wanderers in the summer following five years at the Toughsheet Community Stadium, as his contract came to an end with the Trotters missing out on promotion to the Championship.

Nevertheless, a return to the third tier looks to be back on for the Cape Verde international. Injuries plagued Santos' start to life in South Wales, and with Swansea struggling towards the bottom of the division, improvements are needed across the pitch and room in the squad is needed.

Santos, of course, was signed by former manager Alan Sheehan, and clearly doesn't seem to figure in the thinking of new boss Vitor Matos, who has uplifted the side in recent weeks.

Swansea City set to let Ricardo Santos go in the January transfer window

According to an update via X from Darren Witcoop, the Swans are preparing to let Santos go this month, and clubs in League One are monitoring the 30-year-old.

The defender has made 189 appearances in the third tier in his career so far, reaching the play-offs with Bolton in both the 2022/23 campaign and 2023/24. In the latter, the Trotters were beaten 2-0 by Oxford United in the final at Wembley, with Santos captaining his former club on that day.

Matos, who was appointed the new Swansea head coach in November, has named the Swans' number 23 on the bench only once since his arrival, while he watched on from the dugout another two times under the tutelage of Alan Sheehan.

It may come as no surprise to supporters of the South Wales club to see Santos on the departure list this month, and while it is not yet known whether his exit will be on a permanent deal or a loan, it seems unlikely that he will have a role to play at Swansea in the future.

Swanseea City's Ricardo Santos would be a shrewd signing for a League One club

Although it's been a difficult move for the Cape Verde World Cup hopeful, clubs in League One will know all about Santos and what he can offer to them following his excellent spell with Bolton.

He helped guide the Trotters to the EFL Trophy in 2022/23, with a 4-0 win over Plymouth Argyle in the final a statement victory for the Greater Manchester outfit against one of their promotion rivals in that campaign.

Injuries denied Santos the opportunity of helping Bolton make the final push towards the play-offs last season, but when he was available, his leadership was clear to see and this quality would be greatly appreciated by those looking to work their way into the top six in the run-in.

Maintaining his fitness will be key for any side who are looking to sign the 30-year-old, but if they are able to keep him out of the treatment room and on the pitch, they will gain an experienced professional who will help solidify their defensive line.