Swansea City set to sign ex-Chelsea player - Middlesbrough and Stoke City had been linked | OneFootball

The teenager will be Swansea's 11th signing of the window.

Swansea City are closing in on the signing of Strasbourg left-back Ishe Samuels-Smith.

The Swans have enjoyed a positive start to their 2025/26 campaign, picking up seven points from the opening four games as well as progressing through the opening rounds of the Carabao Cup.

Alan Sheehan has added 10 new players to his ranks in the summer window and could be set to increase that number with a deadline day swoop.

Swansea City set to secure Ishe Samuels-Smith signing

Swansea have been extremely active in the market during the final stages of the window, dealing with multiple complications to strike a £7 million deal for Celtic striker Adam Idah.

Football League World exclusively revealed that the Welsh outfit were eyeing up a loan move for Crystal Palace forward Jesurun Rak-Sakyi. However, they face competition from the likes of Celtic, Rangers and Sheffield United.

According to Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph via X, the Swans aren’t stopping there and are closing in on a transfer for Strasbourg left-back Ishe Samuels-Smith.

The deal will be in the form of a season-long loan, just a month after the 19-year-old joined Strasbourg from Chelsea.

Middlesbrough had been linked with a move for the teenager earlier in the window and were pushing to make that switch happen but have ultimately lost out to Swansea.

Stoke City, Sunderland and Rangers had also been credited with an interest in the defender but weren’t able to strike an agreement for his services.

Samuels-Smith came through the youth ranks with Everton before completing a £4 million move to Chelsea in 2023 and has continued to go from strength to strength whilst in West London.

His versatility is a key attribute that will have seriously appealed to Sheehan, as the young talent is comfortable operating out of both the left-back and centre-back departments.

Ishe Samuels-Smith signing could be a clever piece of business from Swansea

Swansea have shown real intent during the final stages of the window and are giving Sheehan all the tools he needs to fight towards the top six.

Although young, Samuels-Smith would bring Premier League pedigree with him to the Swansea.com Stadium, and his technical attributes will be a big plus for how the Swans build from defence throughout the 2025/26 campaign.

The number of clubs interested in securing his services highlights the talent he possesses, and Swansea will be hoping they can harness that potential and use it to their advantage.

Given the £4 million fee Chelsea forked out for the defender, it seems unlikely that a permanent move will be possible next summer, so the Welsh outfit must make sure they enjoy Samuels-Smith whilst they can.